Catalysis by amorphous metal alloys. Part 3.—Catalytic activity of raney copper catalysts prepared from amorphous Cu62Zr38 powder

Abstract

Raney-type copper catalysts were prepared by treating the pulverized amorphous and crystalline Cu₆₂Zr₃₈ alloys with dilute HF. The catalytic activity for the hydrogenation of olefins was much greater with the catalyst from the amorphous alloy. The great enhancement of the activity of this catalyst was ascribed to its porous structure, the high surface concentration of copper, the high frequency of the distribution of active sites and the electronic state of the surface site, which were clarified by studies of the surface states using ESCA, XRD, SEM and carbon monoxide chemisorption techniques.