Breakthrough in Nanoparticle Research: Modifying Effect of Cobalt on Palladium Catalysts

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Researchers at the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis in Omsk, Russia, have made significant findings in the study of nanoparticles, specifically in the modifying effect of cobalt on palladium in novel bimetallic Pd-Co catalysts. The research focuses on the direct selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene, a crucial process in the production of ethylene.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study reveals that the temperature of catalyst treatment in hydrogen and the Pd/Co ratio are crucial factors in varying the nanoparticles composition of the Pd(1-x)Cox solid solution formed in the catalysts.
  • Increasing the reduction temperature and decreasing the Pd/Co molar ratio leads to a gradual increase in the Co content in the Pd(1-x)Cox particles, resulting in a slight decrease in activity but an improvement in ethylene selectivity and yield.
  • XRD, XPS, HR TEM, TPD-C2H4, and TPR-H-2 analysis show that an increase in cobalt concentration in Pd(1-x)Cox nanoparticles suppresses the ability of the active component to activate hydrogen, enhances the electron interaction between Pd and Co, and ensures rapid desorption of ethylene from the catalyst surface.
  • The highest selectivity was demonstrated on supported Pd(1-x)Cox nanoparticles with a value of x 0.4.
  • Pd-Co/alpha-Al2O3 samples with Pd:Co = 1:3 and 1:4 reduced in H-2 at 700°C provide a high and stable ethylene yield at a level of 68% due to the enhanced influence of cobalt on the electronic and geometric properties of palladium in Co-rich PdCo nanoparticles.
  • Additional information may be obtained from first author Daria Yurpalova, Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, Ctr New Chem Technol Bic, Neftezavodskaya St, 54, Omsk 644040, Russia.

Statistics:

  • The researchers demonstrated a high and stable ethylene yield at 68% using Pd-Co/alpha-Al2O3 samples with Pd:Co = 1:3 and 1:4 reduced in H-2 at 700°C.
  • Increasing the reduction temperature and decreasing the Pd/Co molar ratio led to a gradual increase in the Co content in the Pd(1-x)Cox particles from 0.4 to 0.8.

Sources:

  • Study On the Modifying Effect of Cobalt In Pd-co/a-al 2 o 3 Catalysts for Ethylene Production By Acetylene Hydrogenation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2025;516.
  • Boreskov Institute of Catalysis Details Findings in Nanoparticles (Study On the Modifying Effect of Cobalt In Pd-co/a-al 2 o 3 Catalysts for Ethylene Production By Acetylene Hydrogenation). News of Science. July 27, 2025; p 216.