FTIR studies of CO adsorption on Rh-Ge/Al2O3 catalysts prepared by surface redox reactions.

A series of bimetallic Al2O3-supported Rh-Ge catalysts was prepared by surface redox reactions under controlled hydrogen atmosphere. The surface properties of these catalysts were probed via in-situ FTIR spectroscopic studies of adsorbed CO and were compared to those of monometallic Rh catalysts that had undergone similar treatments. The results indicate that Ge addition results in the formation and stabilization of smaller rhodium ensembles at the expense of larger Rh0 surfaces.