Reduction and oxidation of a Pd/activated carbon catalyst: evaluation of effects

A commercial Pd/activated carbon catalyst (10%) was treated using several redox processes: reduction with gaseous hydrogen at 140 °C, reduction by negative electrochemical polarization in acidic and basic environments, oxidation with aqueous hydrogen peroxide, and positive electrochemical polarization in acidic and basic environments. To establish the electrochemical reduction/oxidation conditions, the potentials of hydrogen and oxygen evolution at Pd/AC powder electrodes were determined from cyclic voltammetric (CV) measurements. The samples were examined for the presence of palladium oxide phases on dispersed metal particles using XRD, TPR, and TPD. The metal oxide phase disappeared following hydrogen and electrochemical reduction. Oxidative treatment of the commercial catalyst differentiated the palladium oxide layers on the metal particle surface. Changes in the surface chemistry of the Pd/PdO/AC system were confirmed by the electrochemical behavior of electrodes prepared from the carbon samples.