Methanol decomposition to synthesis gas over supported Pd catalysts prepared from synthetic anionic clays

Abstract

Supported Pd catalysts were prepared by the solid phase crystallization ( spc ) method starting from hydrotalcite (HT) anionic clay based on [Mg 6 Al 2 (OH) 16 CO 3 2− ]·4H 2 O as the precursors. The precursors were prepared by co-precipitation method from nitates of elements. The precursors were then thermally decomposed and reduced to form supported Pd catalysts and used for the methanol decomposition to synthesis gas. Although Pd 2+ cannot well replace the Mg 2+ site in the hydrotalcite, the Pd supported catalyst prepared by spc method formed highly dispersed Pd metal particles and showed higher activity than that prepared by the conventional impregnation method. When the precursor was prepared under mild conditions, more fine particles of Pd metal were formed over the catalyst, resulting in high activity.