SOLID ELECTROLYTES AS ACTIVE CATALYST SUPPORTS - ELECTROCHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF BENZENE HYDROGENATION ACTIVITY ON PT BETA''(NA)AL2O3/

The influence of Na on benzene hydrogenation over Pt has been investig ated. The amount of Na interacting with the Pt catalyst was reversibly changed by electrochemically pumping the Na from B '' Al2O3, a solid electrolyte which was both the Pt support and the source of the Na. Th e kinetics of the reaction are affected in a way that indicates an ele ctronic effect of Na on benzene adsorption. The reaction can be comple tely inhibited at apparently low coverages of Na relative to the total surface area measured by oxygen chemisorption which may imply that on ly a small fraction of this surface is active for benzene hydrogenatio n on Pt/beta '' Al2O3. (C) 1998 Academic.