Ir/Al2O3, Ir-Ru/Al2O3 and Ru/Al2O3, catalysts with total metal contents of 30% were prepared using the methods of incipient wetness and incipient coimpregnation wetness and were tested in a 2N microthruster. Their performances were then compared with that of the Shell 405 commercial catalyst (30% Ir/Al2O3). Tests were performed in continuous and pulsed regimes, where there are steep temperature and pressure gradients, from ambient values up to 650 ºC and 14 bar. Performance stability, thrust produced, temperature and stagnation pressure in the chamber and losses of mass were analyzed and compared to the corresponding parameters in Shell 405 tests. It was observed that the performance of all the above-mentioned catalysts was comparable to that of the commercial one, except for in loss of mass, where the values was higher, which was attributed to the lower mechanical resistance of the support.

The aim of this work was to prepare tungsten oxycarbides by Temperature Programmed Reaction (TPR), starting with previously molded macroporous tungsten oxide (WO3). The tungsten oxycarbides were prepared by one of two different methods: direct carburization with CH4/H2 to obtain WC or preliminary formation of nitrides with NH3 to obtain W2N, followed by carburization to W2C and WC with CH4/H2. Results suggested that the carburization of the W2N was incomplete, resulting in an oxycarbonitride, or did not occur at all, with the end material being W2N. From among the materials prepared, two catalysts were selected as a function of their mechanical properties, and their performances were compared with a 2 N microthruster using the Shell 405 commercial catalyst in the reaction of hydrazine decomposition.

Palladium and palladium-copper catalysts supported on silica and niobia were characterized by H2 chemisorption and H2-O2 titration. Systems over silica were also analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and EXAFS. The metallic dispersion decreased from 20% to 7% when the content of Pd was increased from 0.5wt.-% to 3wt.-% in monometallic catalysts. The addition of 3 wt.-% Cu to obtain Pd-Cu catalysts caused a remarkable capacity loss of hydrogen chemisorption. TPR analysis suggested an interaction between the two metals and EXAFS characterization of the catalyst supported on silica confirmed the formation of Pd-Cu alloy. Pd/Nb2O5 catalysts showed turnover numbers higher than those obtained with the Pd/SiO2 systems in the cyclohexane dehydrogenation. However, the bimetallic catalysts showed very low turnover numbers.

- Pt-Rh/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by successive incipient impregnations or coimpregnation. Characterization was achieved by H2 chemisorption and transmission electron microscopy. It was verified that method of preparation, ratio of metal weights and sequence of deposition are factors that result in very distinct catalysts.

Pt-Rh/Al2O3 catalysts prepared by successive incipient impregnations and coimpregnation were characterized by H2 chemisorption, temperature programmed reduction and benzene hydrogenation reaction in the vapor phase. The results showed that Rh plays the role of Pt reducting agent, which is very different from the effects of metal-metal interaction which appear mainly in solids with the highest metal contents. The most important parameter that results in bimetallic particles in the catalyst prepared by successive impregnation is the sequence of metal addition.