An SiO2-embedded nanoscopic Pd/Au alloy colloid

A bimetallic, fully alloyed Pd/Au colloid of 3.0 nm particle size, obtained by the co-reduction of Pd and Au salts with tetraalkylammonium triethylhyd roborate, was embedded in a silica matrix employing a modified sol-gel proc edure with THF as the solvent. The removal of the protecting tenside led to a mesoporous texture with a comparatively narrow pore distribution. The ph ysical characterisation by a combination of several techniques has shown th at the SiO2-embedded Pd/Au colloid preserves the size and the structural ch aracteristics of the colloidal metal precursor. The new material exhibits c atalytic properties in selective hydrogenation.