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Methanol synthesis over palladium supported on silica

Journal Article · · J. Catal.; (United States)
Methanol synthesis activity of palladium supported on four types of silica (Davison 01, 03, 57, and 59) were evaluated at 16 atm and 255/sup 0/C in a Berty-type reactor. Turnover frequencies (TOF) were determined based on hydrogen chemisorption data. The TOF's for a particular type of silica increased with decreasing metal dispersion, but for equivalent dispersions the silicas had a marked effect, with TOF's following the sequence Pd/SiO/sub 2/(59) > Pd/SiO/sub 2/(57) > Pd/SiO/sub 2/(01,03). Preliminary results on unsupported Pd show that the activity was less than expected on the basis of particle size. Thus, the silica promotes the activity of the Pd, even though the supported metal particles are relatively large and the TOF increases with particle size. Chloride ions enhance activity by stabilizing higher dispersions and by increasing TOF's. Lithium ions effect extensive sintering of the silica support and promote activity by increasing the TOF. The latter increase may, in part, be the result of more efficient use of Pd surface which occurs via the exclusion of small pores. The more active Pd/SiO/sub 2/ catalysts were found to be comparable in activity to a commercial methanol synthesis catalyst. 14 references.
Research Organization:
Texas A and M Univ., College Station
OSTI ID:
5533685
Journal Information:
J. Catal.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Catal.; (United States) Vol. 101:2; ISSN JCTLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English