Effect of shell thickness of Pd core-porous SiO2 shell catalysts on direct synthesis of H2O2 from H2 and O2

In our previous study, we applied Pd@SiO₂ core-shell catalysts to hydrogen peroxide synthesis and obtained a higher yield of hydrogen peroxide than that obtained with the use of general supported-catalysts (Pd/SiO₂). As an extension of the previous study on Pd@SiO₂ catalysts, the effects of the core-shell thickness on the hydrogen peroxide synthesis reaction were examined in this study. A shell below a certain thickness in the core-shell structure of the Pd nanocatalyst results in a decrease in the catalytic activity. Overall, a volcano curve is observed for the hydrogen peroxide production rate as a function of the shell thickness. Through N₂-adsorption and desorption, TEM, CO-chemisorption, and XRD analyses, we identify the causes for the improved direct hydrogen peroxide synthesis yields and later optimize the shell thickness for the efficient utilization of Pd.