ESCA STUDIES OF POWDERED HYDROGENATION CATALYSTS

Powdered hydrogenation catalysts of the type used in liguid phase chemical process hydrogenations were studied using ESCA. Qualitative and guantitative spectral features of these finely dispersed carbon-supported metal and metal oxide catalysts of platinum and palladium are reported. Information was developed on both the chemical state and the relative dispersion of the active component. Practical application to monitoring variability in both metal dispersion and degree of prereduction of process catalysts is discussed.