The nature of carbon monoxide adsorption on platinum group metal catalysts

The nature of carbon monoxide adsorption on alumina supported platinum group metal catalysts was investigated using in-situ infra-red spectroscopy. Both adsorption and thermal desorption studies were made and the results combined to give a complete picture of the bonding schemes observed for each metal. In light of the conclusions drawn from this research, bimetallic samples were then investigated. The observations from these experiments were explained by comparison with the results from the constituent metals. When attempting to study the bonding schemes in more detail using an enhanced method of data collection, anomalous results were obtained. It was proposed that the species formed would be alumina carbonates, this was proven correct by comparison with the results from a standard preparation of these groups. Standard techniques for the analysis of catalysts and the treatment of results were developed during the course of this work.