Reduction of nitrate on active carbon supported Pd-Cu catalysts

Bimetallic Pd-Cu catalysts supported on active carbon were tested for nitrate reduction in water. The catalysts were prepared either by successive incipient wetness impregnation or catalytic reduction and were characterized by HRTEM, XRD, TPR-H-2 and H-2-chemisorption. The method of preparation exerts an influence on the activity of Pd-Cu catalysts for nitrate reduction, but the effect on their selectivity to ammonia is negligible. The Cu/Pd atomic ratio and total metal content affect both activity and selectivity of the catalysts prepared by chemical reduction. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.