Preparation and characterization of carbonized polyimide containing palladium compounds

Molecular sieving carbon catalysts containing palladium (MSC-Pd) were prepared by imidization and carbonization from a mixture of poly(amic acid) and Pd compounds. Pd acetylacetonate, Pd acetate, and Pd chloride were used as Pd compounds, and the influence of Pd compounds and carbonization temperature on the structure of MSC-Pd was investigated. The average diameter of the Pd particles increased with increasing carbonization temperature, and was also influenced by the type of Pd compounds. However, no substantial difference in the carbonization behavior between MSCs with and without Pd compounds was observed. The Pd particles of the MSC-Pd sample prepared by using Pd acetylacetonate (MSC-Pd(acac)2) were dispersed inside the MSC structure. Hydrogen adsorption isotherms of MSC-Pd(acac)2 indicated that hydrogen could be adsorbed on the Pd particles inside the MSC, and that the amount of adsorbed hydrogen was influenced by the MSC structure.