Structure and activity of microwave irradiated silica supported Pd–Fe bimetallic catalysts in the hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzene

Abstract

A series of silica supported Pd–Fe bimetallic catalysts were prepared by conventional as well as microwave heating methods. The catalysts were characterised by nitrogen adsorption (for BET surface area), X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and hydrogen chemisorption for their physico-chemical properties and were evaluated for chlorobenzene (CB) hydrodechlorination (HDC) activity. The catalysts prepared with microwave irradiation resulted into higher hydrodechlorination activity compared to their conventionally prepared analogues. These results are explained in terms of differences in the Pd morphology observed during the microwave irradiation.