Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalysts with two different metal particle sizes were prepared from [Pd(acac)2]. Subsequently, the photochemical reaction of [M(CO)6] (M = Mo or W) in the presence of Pd/γ-Al2O3 was used to prepare bimetallic Pd-M/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. DRIFTS FTIR spectra of the catalyst surfaces prior to thermal decomposition showed unstable subcarbonyl [M(CO)n] species. Chemisorption and CO/NO adsorption results indicated a blockage of the Pd active sites when the second metal was incorporated. The catalytic activity and the selectivity for the NO/CO reaction were higher for Pd with higher particle size, but they were both inhibited when Mo or W were incorporated. On the other hand, when the catalysts were tested for NO decomposition, the presence of Mo or W led to an increase in the catalytic activity, with optimal results observed in the presence of Mo.
NO decomposition; NO/CO reduction; palladium/alumina catalyst; molybdenum; tungsten
