Inkjet Printing of GaPd2 into Micro-Channels for Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene

Drop-on-demand inkjet printing was used to apply nanoparticulate GaPd2 catalyst as thin and uniform wall coatings for micro-channels. Several inks were formulated and evaluated concerning their stability and printability. Three different printing approaches were investigated and the obtained layers were examined regarding their homogeneity, adhesion, and catalytic performance. After a specific catalyst activation step, semi-hydrogenation of acetylene was conducted at 523 K and a feed gas composition of 0.5 vol% C2H2, 5 vol% H-2, 50 vol% C2H4 in He. Printed GaPd2/alpha-Al2O3 showed the best catalytic results and a selectivity of 76% for the hydrogenation to ethylene with a high activity of 480 mol(C2H2) mol(Pd)(-1) h(-1).