The hydrogenation of propyne (C3H4) to propylene (C3H6) using a Pd/Cu(111) single atom alloy (SAA) has been studied using polarization dependent-reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy. This method allows for simultaneous monitoring of reactants and products in the gas-phase and species adsorbed on the surface during the reaction. The results were compared with the hydrogenation of propyne using Pd-free Cu(111) as well as previous studies on Pd/Cu SAA alumina-supported metal catalysts. Propylene production first occurs at 383 K as indicated by the presence of an infrared peak at 912 cm -1, which is a uniquely characteristic of gas-phase propylene. The presence of propyne oligomers on the surface is indicated by a dramatic increase in the peak intensity at 2968 cm -1 at temperatures above 400 K. The progression of the peaks at 912 and 3322 cm-1 was used to calculate the rate of production of propylene and the rate of consumption of propyne, respectively. This reaction rate was used to determine a turnover frequency (TOF) for the reaction on the Pd/Cu SAA catalyst.

Propyne hydrogenation over a Pd/Cu(111) single atom alloy catalyst studied with infrared spectroscopy

2019 Spring National Meeting

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