An infrared study of CO adsorption on silica-supported Ru–Sn catalysts

Abstract

CO adsorption on Ru–Sn/SiO2 catalysts of various Sn/(Ru+Sn) ratios was examined by Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier-Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS). The catalysts were prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method. Catalysts were activated by H2 reduction at 773 K. CO adsorbed on the catalysts shows spectra whose band frequencies are divided into three groups: (i) High Frequency Region (HFR), containing a band at 2065 cm−1, (ii) Low Frequency Region 1 (LFR1), containing bands at 2040–2015 cm−1, (iii) Low Frequency Region 2 (LFR2), containing bands at 1990 and 1945 cm−1. The types of adsorbed CO species formed strongly depend on the ratio Sn/(Ru+Sn) in the catalyst, CO pressure and temperature of adsorption. Adsorption of CO on Ru sites in the Ru/SiO2 catalyst results in LFR1 bands at 2040–2015 cm−1, which are independent of the CO pressure but the adsorption complexes are easily destroyed by raising the temperature. The addition of Sn to the catalyst creates new sites for CO adsorption. After adsorption at 298 K, the HFR band at 2065 cm−1 and LFR2 bands at 1990–1950 cm−1 are observed. The relative intensities of these bands increase with increasing Sn-content in the samples. The LFR bands are thermally stable while the HFR band is not. The formation of the corresponding species is favored by increasing the CO pressure. Adsorbed CO species giving LFR1 bands are assigned to linearly-adsorbed CO on the Ru0 and/or on the Ru–Sn alloy sites. Adsorbed CO species giving HFR bands are assigned to CO adsorption on Ruδ+–O–Sn sites. After low temperature CO adsorption on samples with high Sn-content, only species that show bands at 1990 and 1945 cm−1 in LFR2 are observed.