Methanol decomposition over palladium supported mesoporous CeO2-ZrO2 mixedoxides

Mesoporous CeO2-ZrO2 mixed oxides with high surface area and regular pore s ystem were synthesized and their applications as an active support of palla dium catalysts prepared by the deposition-precipitation (DP) method is inve stigated. The nanometer sized particle strongly interacts with the mesoporo us supports. Catalysts were characterized using XRD, TEM, N-2 physisorption , BET surface area, and hydrogen adsorption. Compared to mesoporous Pd/CeO2 and mesoporous Pd/ZrO2, the mesoporous Pd/CeO2-ZrO2 mixed oxides are found to be effective catalysts for the methanol decomposition. The effect of ul trasonic vibration during the DP of palladium over the supports further enh ances the catalytic activity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.