Catalytic combustion of toluene on Pd-Cu/SiO2 catalysts

Catalytic combustion of toluene on silica supported Pd, Pd-Cu and Cu cataly sts has been investigated. The solids were prepared by the impregnation met hod and they were characterized by evaluation of surface area, metal disper sion and surface composition. The reaction was studied under stoichiometric conditions in the presence and absence of thiophene as poison. It was foun d that the presence of copper reduces the activity due to a copper-palladiu m interaction, which modifies the nature of the active site. The monometall ic Pd and the bimetallic Pd-Cu catalysts showed high resistance to the sulf ur poisoning.