Direct decomposition of nitric oxide on bimetallic catalysts: Effect of metals bonding

Pd-Mo and Mo-Pd bimetallic catalysts supported on Al2O3-thin-layer-modified SiO2 and Si-MCM-41 were investigated for the direct decomposition of nitric oxide. The catalysts were prepared from [Pd(acac)2] and [Mo(CO)6]. The Al2O3/SiO2 and Al2O3/Si-MCM-41 supported catalyst surface areas did not change significantly upon metal impregnation. Temperature programmed reduction profiles suggest the presence of large particles that are easily reduced. Consequently, low palladium dispersions were found. All the catalysts studied were active in the NO decomposition reaction, Mo-Pd catalysts being the most selective.