Molecular approach for the synthesis of supported nanoparticles on active carbon using noble metal clusters

Willocq, Christopher [UCL] Vidick, Deborah [UCL] Hermans, Sophie [UCL] Delcorte, Arnaud [UCL] Bertrand, Patrick [UCL] Dubois, Vincent Devillers, Michel [UCL] et al.[show all]

Noble metal clusters were used as precursors for active carbon supported nanoparticles. The synthetic strategy implied first the synthesis of organometallic clusters, i.e. multinuclear complexes with mainly carbonyl ligands. Second, the active carbon surface was treated in order to create at its surface anchoring sites for the clusters in the form of chelating phosphine groups. In a third step, mixedmetal or Pd-based clusters were introduced on the surface of the functionalized support and of the intact carbon for comparison. A fourth step consisting in thermally treating the obtained solids led to activated 'naked' nanoparticles. Characterization at each step of the synthesis relied on XPS, SIMS and TEM mainly. The series of obtained Pd/C materials were tested as hydrogenation catalysts and gave competitive activities.