BIMETALLIC RU-CU SIO2 CATALYSTS - EFFECT OF TOTAL SURFACE-AREA ON THECATALYTIC PROPERTIES/

Bimetallic Ru-Cu samples supported on silica gel having different surf ace areas have been characterized by TPR (temperature programmed reduc tion) and CO chemisorption. The catalytic properties have been tested in the hydrogenolysis of propane. Ruthenium and copper salts which do not contain chlorine have been used for catalyst preparation. The surf ace area of the supports used ranged from 25 to 500 m2/g. The Cu/Ru at omic ratio was varied between 0 and 4. Addition of Cu decreases the ca talytic activity and increases the selectivity to ethane. The largest variations are observed on the support with larger surface area. It is suggested that a larger Ru-Cu interaction occurs on the smaller metal particles due to the higher tendency of the Cu atoms of populating lo w coordination sites.