Synthesis of Pd(0)/C by Pyrolysis of the Cellulose–Saccharose–Palladium Nitrate Powder Composite

Pyrolysis of cellulose powder granules impregnated with an aqueous solution of saccharose and palladium nitrate gave granular Pd/C carbons with 1–9 wt % metal. It was shown by X-ray diffraction analysis and electronic microscopy that palladium is present in the carbon matrix in the form of Pd(0) nanoparticles with sizes of 10–30 nm in the main fraction (~95%). Palladium nanoparticles are localized inside the saccharose carbonizate layer and on its surface. An IR spectral study showed that pyrolysis of the cellulose–saccharose powder composite in the presence of palladium nitrate leads to the appearance of ester groups in the carbonizate. An increase in the palladium nitrate content in the cellulose powder leads to lower yields of the carbonizate and larger metal nanoparticles in carbon. The specific catalytic activity of nanoparticles in the model decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide was found to be the same for all palladium-containing carbons.