Decomposition of acetic acid for hydrogen production over Pd/Al 2 O 3 and Pd/TiO 2 : Influence of metal precursor

The effect of palladium precursor on the catalytic properties of Pd/Al 2 O 3 and Pd/TiO 2 catalysts toward acetic acid decomposition was investigated. The catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation of titania and alumina with solutions of palladium acetylacetonate, palladium chloride and palladium nitrate. All the catalysts were characterized by N 2 -physisorption, XRD, H 2 -TPR, H 2 -chemisorption, XPS and IR spectroscopy (DRIFTS in situ ). Carbonaceous compounds were formed on the used catalysts and were investigated by TPO, TGA experiments and Raman spectroscopy. The results suggested that Pd/Al 2 O 3 Nit (prepared using palladium nitrate) was the most active catalyst for conversion of acetic acid, followed by Pd/Al 2 O 3 Aca (prepared using palladium acetylacetonate) which was the most selective for H 2 . Alumina supported catalysts showed the best performance in acetic acid decomposition and hydrogen production.