Catalysis on Mono- and Bimetallic Cu_nAg_m Nanoparticles of the Silver–Copper System

The purpose of this work was to study the catalytic properties of mono- and bimetallic nanoparticles of the copper–silver system of variable composition supported on aluminum oxide in the conversion reactions of protium modifications and deuterium–hydrogen exchange. From a comparison of the temperature dependences of the specific catalytic activity of samples in the two test reactions, a conclusion on different reaction mechanisms was drawn. It was shown that, compared to the bulk metals, Cu_nAg_m nanoparticles had catalytic properties over a wide temperature range down to –196°C. In the chemical reaction of isotope exchange in molecular hydrogen, a synergistic effect was observed, which indicated the interaction of metals in bimetallic nanoparticles.