Comparative study of hydrotalcite-derived supported Pd2Ga and PdZn intermetallic nanoparticles as methanol synthesis and methanol steam reforming catalysts

An effective and versatile synthetic approach to produce well-dispersed supported intermetallic nanoparticles is presented that allows a comparative study of the catalytic properties of different intermetallic phases while minimizing the influence of differences in preparation history. Supported PdZn, Pd2Ga, and Pd catalysts were synthesized by reductive decomposition of ternary Hydrotalcite-like compounds obtained by co-precipitation from aqueous solutions. The precursors and resulting catalysts were characterized by HRTEM, XRD, XAS, and CO-IR spectroscopy. The Pd2+ cations were found to be at least partially incorporated into the cationic slabs of the precursor. Full incorporation was confirmed for the PdZnAl-Hydrotalcite-like precursor. After reduction of Ga- and Zn-containing precursors, the intermetallic compounds Pd2Ga and PdZn were present in the form of nanoparticles with an average diameter of 6 nm or less. Tests of catalytic performance in methanol steam reforming and methanol synthesis from CO2 have shown that the presence of Zn and Ga improves the selectivity to CO2 and methanol, respectively. The catalysts containing intermetallic compounds were 100 and 200 times, respectively, more active for methanol synthesis than the monometallic Pd catalyst. The beneficial effect of Ga in the active phase was found to be more pronounced in methanol synthesis compared with steam reforming of methanol, which is likely related to insufficient stability of the reduced Ga species in the more oxidizing feed of the latter reaction. Although the intermetallic catalysts were in general less active than a Cu-/ZnO-based material prepared by a similar procedure, the marked changes in Pd reactivity upon formation of intermetallic compounds and to study the tunability of Pd-based catalysts for different reactions.

A versatile precursor approach was used to prepare nanoparticles of Pd-based intermetallic compounds with particle sizes in the nm range. These catalysts showed improved catalytic properties compared with monometallic Pd, which was more pronounced in methanol synthesis compared to methanol steam reforming probably due to surface dynamics in the latter reaction.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (128 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Hydrotalcite-like compounds are versatile precursors for intermetallic catalysts.
► Supported nanoparticles of PdZn (2 nm) and Pd2Ga (6 nm) have been prepared.
► Selectivity in methanol synthesis is promoted by formation of intermetallics.
► Surface dynamics affect the methanol steam reforming properties.