Localization of alkali metal ions in sodium-promoted palladium catalysts as studied by low energy ion scattering and transmission electron microscopy

Three series of palladium-based catalysts have been studied by Low Energy Ion Scattering (LEIS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The first series is comprised of Na-Pd/SiO{sub 2} catalysts, obtained by addition of palladium to a silica support and by further addition of sodium ions with a Na/Pd atomic ratio (R) equal to 0,6.4 and 25.6. The second series consists of palladium catalysts supported on natural pumice, in which, due to a different loading of supported palladium, R{prime}, the (Na+K)/Pd atomic ratio, is equal to 17.0 and 39.4. The third series is represented by two palladium-based catalysts supported on {open_quotes}model pumices,{close_quotes} synthetic silico-aluminat…