SURFACE AND CATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF SUPPORTED Pt/Ni NANOPARTICLES

The surface and catalytic properties of SiO2 supported Pt/Ni nanoparticles have been investigated. The metal nanoparticles were prepared via simultaneous reduction of the metal salts in an aqueous media at 80oC using sodium borohydride as the reducing agent. Total reduction of the metal salts is confirmed via H2-TPR studies. Both H2-TPR and TPD profiles showed an incorporation of hydrogen from NaBH4 for samples with high Ni content as well as in all catalysts during the activation process under H2 at 473 K for 15 min. The profiles indicate that different interactions between hydrogen and catalysts containing high Ni loading (10, 30, 100%Ni) occurred, compared to that of pure Pt catalyst. On the other hand specific interactions were found for catalyst with a chemical composition of 50Pt50Ni. Gas phase hydrogenation of benzene on prepared catalysts was also investigated. Results show that, incorporation of Pt in Ni enhances the catalytic activity. Optimal synergy is obtained with the 50Pt50Ni chemical composition. The results obtained confirm that interactions occur between Pt and Ni nanoparticles.