PdCu alloy nanoparticles on alumina as selective catalysts for trichloroethylene hydrodechlorination to ethylene

► Catalyst preparation by polyol nanoparticle synthesis and conventional impregnation. ► Catalysts performance governed by Pd–Cu interaction and particle size. ► Higher selectivity to ethylene on larger Pd particles. ► Nearly complete ethylene selectivity on bimetallic Pd-Cu alloy catalysts. ► Pd-Cu alloy formation depends on synthesis protocol. PdCu bimetallic catalysts supported on alumina were prepared by different common impregnation protocols and by a polyol nanoparticles synthesis route. These materials were studied in order to establish the relationship between structure, particle size, Pd–Cu interaction and catalytic activity/selectivity in the hydrodechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE) in gas phase. The surface properties and the interaction between Cu and Pd in the bimetallic particles, as well as their catalytic behaviour are strongly influenced by the preparation protocol. Depending on the synthesis, PdCu alloy formation or isolated phases were observed. The presence of isolated Pd particles leads to high ethane selectivity, whereas upon alloy formation or strong interaction between Pd and Cu a higher ethylene yield was obtained. By the nanoparticles polyol synthesis, Pd-Cu alloy formation was obtained, leading to total selectivity to ethylene in the TCE hydrodechlorination reaction. On the Pd monometallic catalysts larger particle size resulted in higher levels of ethylene formation.