Formation and growth of a nanosized RuIr bimetallic cluster supported on NaY zeolite

Abstract

A RuIr catalyst has been prepared by exchanging Ru and Ir metal ions simultaneously into NaY zeolite and then followed by thermal decomposition under a vacuum at 673 K and reduction with hydrogen at 623 K. The results obtained from the Xe adsorption measurement, hydrogen chemisorption, and X-ray absorption fine structure suggest that the RuIr bimetallic clusters are encapsulated in the supercage of NaY zeolite, consisting of 30-60 atoms/cluster. It has been found out that Ru and Ir atoms are homogeneously mixed in the bimetallic cluster. The nanosized RuIr bimetallic clusters in the NaY zeolite show strong resistance for the agglomeration in I-atm oxygen and at high temperatures, compared to the Ru/NaY.