Pd supported catalysts: evolution of the support during Pd deposition and K doping

The changes in the support morphology, at nano- and micro-scale level, have been investigated along the two-step processes involved in the preparation of a Pd supported on SiO2-Al2O3 (SA) catalyst: Pd deposition and K2CO3 doping. During the latter step part of the support dissolves and re-precipitates (partially outside the pores) covering the Pd particles. XRPD shows a significant rearrangement of the support at the long range order scale, while 29Si and 27Al solid-state (SS) NMR indicate that the average local environment around both Si and Al atoms remains unaltered.