Effect of particle size on monometallic and bimetallic (Au,Pd)/C on the liquid phase oxidation of glycerol

The influence of metal particle size of monometallic and bimetallic supported catalysts (Au, Pd, Au-Pd)/C was studied using as a model reaction the liq. phase oxidn. of glycerol. By tuning the metal particle size from 2 to 16 nm, a progressive decrease of activity and simultaneously an increase in the selectivity to sodium glycerate was obsd. An increase of temp. and only for large particle size catalysts, sodium glycerate was stable and did not over-oxidized to tartronate.