Versatile and efficient catalysts for energy and environmental processes: Mesoporous silica containing Au, Pd and Au-Pd

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 285; pp. 460 - 468
• Main Authors: da Silva, Anderson G.M., Fajardo, Humberto V., Balzer, Rosana, Probst, Luiz F.D., Lovón, Adriana S.P., Lovón-Quintana, Juan J., Valença, Gustavo P., Schreine, Wido H., Robles-Dutenhefner, Patrícia A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.07.2015
• Subjects: BTX oxidation; Gold; Gold–palladium; Palladium; Steam reforming of ethanol; Steam reforming of ethanol; Gold; BTX oxidation; Palladium; Gold–palladium
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2015.03.066

We described a versatile approach for the synthesis of Au/MCM-41, Pd/MCM-41 and Au-Pd/MCM-41 by the direct incorporation of the noble metals into the MCM-41 framework. The structural, textural and chemical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), N2-adsorption (BET and BJH methods), H2-chemisorption, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The nanomaterials, being comprised of Au, Pd and Au-Pd nanoparticles and possessing high surface areas were applied as versatile and efficient catalysts in benzene, toluene and o-xylene (BTX) oxidation and in the steam reforming of ethanol for hydrogen production. The results revealed that the catalytic behavior in both processes was influenced by the experimental conditions and the nature of the catalyst employed. The Au-Pd/MCM-41 catalyst was the most active in the BTX total oxidation. On the basis of characterization data, it was proposed that the close contact between Pd and Au and the higher dispersion of Pd may be responsible for the enhanced activity of the bimetallic catalyst. However, the strong interaction between the noble metals did not improve the performance of the bimetallic catalyst in ethanol steam reforming, the Pd/MCM-41 catalyst being the most active and selective for hydrogen production. •Au, Pd and Pd–Au based catalysts were prepared.•The materials were prepared by the direct incorporation into the MCM-41 framework.•The materials were evaluated as versatile and efficient catalysts.•The Au metal showed influence in the catalytic behavior for BTX oxidation.•The Au metal did not improve the catalytic activity in ethanol steam reforming.