Platinum-silica particle size effects

The details of the sample preparation and studies of the nature of the supported-metal samples have been described in a paper dealing with the effect of surface coverage on the spectra of carbon monoxide chemisorbed on platinum, nickel, and palladium (1). The samples consist of small particles of metal dispersed on a nonporous silica which is produced commercially under the names Cabosil or Aerosil.f This type of silica is suitable as a support because it is relatively inert and has a small particle size (150-200 A.). The small particle size is important because it reduces the amount of radiation which is lost by scattering. A nonporous small particle form of gamma-alumina, known as Alon-C, is also available. This material is not so inert as the silica and will react with gases such as CO and CO2 at elevated temperatures. 

---