Direct synthesis of H₂O₂ from H₂ and O₂ over Pd/H-beta catalyst in an aqueous acidic medium: influence of halide ions present in the catalyst or reaction medium on H₂O₂ formation

Abstract

The influence of different halide ions present in the catalyst or reaction medium on the performance of Pd/H-beta catalyst in the direct H₂O₂ synthesis in an aqueous acidic (0.03 M H₃PO₄) reaction medium at 27°C and atmospheric pressure has been thoroughly investigated. The results showed a strong influence of both the bulk Pd oxidation state in the catalyst and the halide ions added to the reaction medium on the performance of the catalyst in the H₂ to H₂O₂ oxidation, H₂O₂ decomposition/hydrogenation reactions. The different ammonium halides impregnated reduced Pd/H-beta catalyst calcined in inert (N₂) and oxidizing (air) gaseous atmospheres also revealed that the bulk Pd oxidation state and nature of the halide ions present in the catalyst together control the overall performance of the catalyst in the H₂O₂ formation reaction. The presence of halide ions in reaction medium or in the catalyst significantly changes the selectivity for H₂O₂formation in the direct H₂O₂ synthesis. Bromide ions are found to remarkably enhance the H₂O₂ selectivity in the direct H₂O₂ synthesis irrespective of the Pd oxidation state in the catalyst. The promoting action of Br^- is attributed mainly to the large decrease in the H₂O₂ decomposition and hydrogenation activities of the catalyst and also inhibition for the non-selective H₂-to-water oxidation over the catalyst.