Palladium Black

Palladium black (also known as «palladium on carbon», denoted as Pd/C) is a mixture of palladium, its oxides, and carbon.

Palladium black is obtained by reduction of palladium salt solutions. To produce catalysts based on palladium black, a porous material (charcoal, pumice, chalk) is taken and impregnated with an alkaline solution of palladium chloride. Then, upon heating in a hydrogen atmosphere, the chloride is reduced to the metal, and pure palladium settles on the support as a finely dispersed black.
Palladium black is widely used as a catalyst. In organic chemistry, it is used to accelerate hydrogenation. It is in demand at oil refineries, chemical plants, and in the metallurgical industry.