Biomineralised Palladium is an Effective Hydrogenation Catalyst

This study was aimed at the development of a new heterogeneous Pd catalyst based on biologically mineralised palladium (Bio-Pd). Desulfovibrio desulfuricans was used to reduce Pd(II) to nanocrystalline Pd embedded in the bacterial surface. In this way the biomass provides support and prevents coalescence of the palladium nanoparticles. Palladised biomass exhibits catalytic activity, which was demonstrated in a range of applications including reduction, oxidation and hydrogenation reactions. Preparation of Bio-Pd under various conditions leads to the formation of a supported palladium catalyst with potentially different catalytic properties according to the preparation method.