Activation of amorphous CuZr alloys

Abstract

In a previous paper, the authors described the process of activation of Cu-Zr amorphous alloys from the results of a high-pressure DTA in various gas atmospheres and X-ray diffraction. In this paper, the authors carried out CO hydrogenation over several samples containing zirconium and estimated the oxidation and the increase in the surface area of an amorphous Cu-Zr alloy during the activation process as a function of duration time under various atmospheres. Then it was found that the presence of water drastically promoted the oxidation and the increase in the surface area of an amorphous Cu-Zr alloy. The in situ oxidation and oxidation with water of amorphous alloys containing zirconium make active catalysts from amorphous alloys. The oxidation of amorphous alloys provides a new way of preparing supported catalysts. 12 references.