Pd Nanoparticles Deposited on Metal-Organic Framework of MIL-53(Al): an Active Catalyst for CO Oxidation

Pd nanoparticles (NPs) supported on a metal-organic framework (MOF), MIL-53(Al) (MIL: Materials of Institut Lavoisier), were prepared using the incipient wetness impregnation method. The structures of the synthesized Pd/MIL-53(Al) catalysts were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The same peaks were observed in the XRD patterns of Pd/MIL-53(Al) before and after the catalytic reaction, confirming that the integrity of the MIL-53(Al) support was maintained. The TEM results indicated that the crystalline porous structure of MIL-53(Al) favored the formation of highly dispersed Pd NPs of average size 2.21 nm. The heterogeneous catalytic composite materials exhibited high activities for CO oxidation, with full conversion at 115 degrees C. The catalytic activity and structure of Pd/MIL-53(Al) were stable after several reaction runs.