(205f) Selectivity of Zirconia Supported Catalysts

The objective of this study was to synthesize zirconia supported catalysts and determine their selectivity in the production of hydrogen. Six different methods were used in synthesizing zirconia support using various zirconium precursors. The zirconia support was then loaded using impregnation and deposition-precipitation with a range of palladium, copper, and zinc precursor ratios as well as a range of palladium, copper, and zinc precusors. The zirconia supported catalysts were characterized using BET, XRD, Chemisorption, to measure the copper surface area, and a flow reactor, to determine the catalyst's selectivity. After characterization, it was found that the zirconia supported palladium, copper, and zinc catalysts were approximately as selective as non-zirconia supported palladium, copper, and zinc catalysts.