The effect of niobium and tantalum on physicochemical and catalytic properties of silver and platinum catalysts based on MCF mesoporous cellular foams

Total oxidation of methanol to carbon dioxide is attractive for direct alcohol fuel cells and for control of VOCs emissions, whereas partial oxidation to e.g. aldehydes or esters is useful for production of various fine chemicals. Taking into account the oxidizing properties of silver and platinum we may expect new, unique properties resulting from the interactions between metals in the bimetallic system supported on mesoporous foams. The aim of this contribution is to prepare new Pt-Ag catalysts based on mesoporous cellular foams MCF, NbMCF, TaMCF, characterise them and test their application in the oxidation of methanol. Strong metal (Ag, Pt) - support (NbMCF, TaMCF) interactions, leading to changes in metallic and bimetallic phases on the support surfaces and in the activity and selectivity in methanol oxidation, are discussed.