Bimetallic Au-Pd and Ag-Pd clusters synthesised by γ or electron beam Radiolysis and study of the reactivity/structure relationships in the selective hydrogenation of buta-1,3-diene

Ag-Pd and Au-Pd (alloyed or core-shell) catalysts were synthesised by radiolytic reduction (gamma rays or electron beam). Selective hydrogenation of buta-1,3-diene was performed with these different nanoparticles deposited on alumina in order to investigate composition and structure effects on catalytic performances. Au-Pd and Ag-Pd nanoparticles exhibit very different catalytic behaviours: whereas only hydrogenation activity is modified on Au-Pd systems without any change in selectivity toward butenes formation, important variations in selectivity into butenes are observed for Ag-Pd nanoparticles deposited on alumina support.