Influence of bicomponent Pd based catalysts on anthracene hydrogenation reaction

In order to prepare efficient lightweight fuel, using anthracene as a model compound instead of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The focus of this study was to elucidate the synergy of M (M = Zr, La, Au) in Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst towards the hydrogenation of anthracene. It was revealed that the M addition as a second promoter positively influenced catalyst performance. In the paper, the selectivity of Pd-based catalysts for hydrogenation products depends on temperature. It was believed that the active metal Pd adsorbs anthracene molecules and catalyzes the transfer of diatomic hydrogen, while the carrier promotes the transfer of monatomic hydrogen. Moreover, the metallic Pd⁰ species on PdZr/Al₂O₃ and PdAu/Al₂O₃ supports were found to be more electron-rich than those on Pd/Al₂O₃, which increases the adsorption capacity of hydrogen atoms. The Pd⁰ species on the catalyst were more electron deficient under the action of La, which inhibits the detachment of intermediate products on the active metal, thereby improving the selectivity of perhydroanthracene (The selectivity of perhydroanthracene is 89% at a temperature of 275 °C).