Designing bimetallic nanoparticles constitutes a major goal to merge synthesis with desired structure-activity towards catalysis of specific reactions. Gold-palladium nanoparticles demonstrated significantly enhanced catalytic activity relative to their monometallic counterpart nanoparticles for reactions ranging from alcohol oxidations to hydrogen peroxide synthesis. Bimetallic nanoparticles can be structurally unique ranging from homogeneous alloys to core-shell nanoparticles. The nanoparticle morphology depends on the synthetic protocol, the miscibility of both metals, and post-synthesis treatments. The activity and selectivity of alloyed gold-palladium nanoparticle catalysts on the oxidation of benzyl alcohol is strongly related to nanoparticle size and composition. We investigated by STEM-XEDS, XPS AND XAS the relationship between size and composition of a series of gold-palladium bimetallic catalysts prepared by the deposition of preformed gold-palladium nanoparticles on a Fe3O4/SiO2 magnetic support on the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. We also investigated the effect of thermal treatment of the catalysts on the composition and the size of the nanoparticles (figure 1) and its effect on catalysis (table 1).

Investigation of structure, composition, and catalytic activity of AuPd bimetallic nanoparticles of variable Au/Pd ratio

249th National Meeting (2015)

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