ELECTROCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF METAL CATALYSTS IN LIQUID PHASE

Abstract

Different electrochemical methods have been developed for studying dispersed metal hydrogenation catalysts in liquid phase. Metal-hydrogen systems can be investigated by galvanostatic and potentiodynamic method by which the amount of sorbed hydrogen, its bonding energy and the surface area of the catalyst can also be determined. By measuring the excess free energy, important information can be obtained about the energetic state of the catalyst. Measuring the electrochemical potential of the catalyst in the course of hydrogenation, the progress of the reaction can be monitored as well as the ageing of the catalyst.