Preparation of axially non-uniform Pd catalytic monoliths by chemical vapour deposition

Metal-organic chemical vapour deposition was used to prepare palladium catalytic monoliths under atmospheric pressure. Palladium(II) acetylacetonate was utilised as the precursor and was introduced in a helium stream flowing over the gamma -Al(2)O(3)/cordierite support. The monoliths were characterised by atomic absorption, electron probe microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Axially non-uniform catalyst distributions were obtained. The palladium profile was affected by the sublimation temperature of Pd(acac)(2), deposition temperature of the monolith, carrier gas flowrate and deposition time. Palladium particles obtained were small enough to warrant their use in catalytic applications. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.