The effect of PdZn particle size on reverse-water–gas-shift reaction

Abstract

The effect of PdZn particle size on the catalytic activity of Pd/ZnO catalysts for the reverse-water–gas-shift (RWGS) reaction was studied. The PdZn particle size was varied by adjusting Pd loading and reducing the catalysts at different temperatures. XRD and IR spectroscopy characterization confirmed the absence of metallic Pd on the catalyst surface. Consequently, the effect of PdZn alloy particle size on the RWGS reaction can be unambiguously studied without the complication of reactions catalyzed by metallic Pd. The results indicated that the turnover frequency increases as the PdZn crystallite size decreases. Interestingly, this structure relationship between PdZn particle size and RWGS activity is consistent with that previously observed for the steam reforming of methanol, i.e., higher CO selectivity on smaller PdZn particles. Thus, RWGS has been identified as a likely potential reaction pathway to undesired CO formation in methanol steam reforming on Pd/ZnO catalysts for hydrogen production.