Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 1986, 51, 279-287
https://doi.org/10.1135/cccc19860279

Effect of the ionizing radiation on the catalytic activity of the BASF K-3-10 catalyst in the low-temperature conversion of carbon monoxide by water vapour. Catalytic activity of the pre-irradiated catalyst

Alois Motl

Faculty of Nuclear Engineering, Czech Technical University, 115 19 Prague 1

Abstract

The catalytic activity of the BASF K-3-10 catalyst with regard to the low-temperature conversion of carbon monoxide by water vapour and its changes after irradiation of the contact area by gamma or beta radiation or by fast neutrons has been investigated. The irradiated samples exhibit a moderately or even substantially higher catalytic activity in comparison with the non-irradiated catalyst, the change being dependent on the absorbed dose; moreover, the effective activation energy of the reaction increases, too. Important differences in the action of different types of the ionizing radiation used have been observed and their probable explanation is offered. In course of these experiments the catalysts were analyzed and the specific surface of the catalyst was measured at various stages of their history. It has been found that at all stages the specific surfaces of the irradiated catalyst are equal to the respective specific surfaces of the non-irradiated contacts.