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Updated: Jan 11, 2026
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Synthesis and Testing of Supported Pt-Cu Solid Solution Nanoparticle Catalysts for Propane Dehydrogenation
Published on: July 18, 2017
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Activation of propane on Ag-PdO(101) model surfaces
1Department of Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine, Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkiye.
Turkish Journal of Chemistry
|November 13, 2025
Summary
Silver incorporation into palladium oxide (PdO) catalysts lowers the temperature for propane oxidation. This creates new active sites at the silver-PdO interface, facilitating C-H bond activation for selective catalysis.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Surface Science
- Materials Chemistry
Background:
- Alkane oxidation is challenging due to high C-H bond activation energy and favorability of complete oxidation.
- Palladium oxide (PdO), especially the (101) facet, shows high reactivity attributed to unsaturated Pd and O atoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the impact of silver (Ag) incorporation on propane oxidation over PdO(101).
- Understand the formation of new active sites and their effect on reaction energetics and selectivity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized temperature-programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS) under controlled conditions.
- Employed the Redhead method for activation energy estimation.
- Performed quantitative analysis of CO2 desorption and Ag coverage.
Main Results:
- Pristine PdO(101) showed complete propane oxidation at ~475 K.
- Ag incorporation introduced a new CO2 desorption peak at ~330 K, indicating lower-temperature activity.
- C-H bond activation energy at the Ag-PdO interface was reduced by 46 kJ/mol.
- Low-temperature activity correlated with Ag coverage, but overall CO2 production decreased.
Conclusions:
- Silver incorporation modifies PdO(101) energetics, creating active interfacial sites for propane oxidation.
- Bimetallic Ag-PdO catalysts offer potential for designing selective partial oxidation reactions.
- The study demonstrates a strategy for tuning catalyst reactivity through the incorporation of less reactive metals.
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