Catalytic Activity of Silver and Gold Metals Doped with Alkali Metals

Abstract

Abstract When alkali metals are brought into contact with silver or gold, catalytic activity for hydrogen activation reactions results which is higher than that for each of the constituent metals. The order of the activity per mole of alkali metal for the H2-D2 exchange reaction is Ag–C>Ag–K>Au–Cs>Ag–Na. The Ag–Cs and Ag–K systems absorb considerable amounts of hydrogen. The nature of the active sites and the contact effect of the IB metal with the alkali metal are discussed.