Green Preparation of PtRu and PtCu/SBA-15 Catalysts using Supercritical CO2

Abstract

Sustainability is emerging as design criteria in catalysts production. Hence, the preparation of Pt bimetallic catalysts using supercritical CO2 (scCO2) as a green solvent is proposed. PtRu and PtCu nanoparticles (NPs) were deposited on mesoporous SiO2 SBA-15 by the reduction of Pt, Ru and Cu metalorganic precursor in scCO2. The simultaneous and sequential deposition of both metals was attempted using different reduction methodologies. The materials were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). XRD patterns matched closely that of cubic Pt. TEM images showed small NPs homogeneously distributed throughout the SBA-15 mesopores. Smaller particles were obtained when the reduction was performed in H2/N2 at low pressure. Sequential deposition of Cu or Ru in the first place followed by Pt yielded equimolar metal ratios. Samples prepared by sequential deposition were studied by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM). Composition profiles of the PtRu samples suggested an alloy structure. These catalysts were used in the hydrogenation of the renewable furfural in scCO2 at 80ºC. PtRu materials presented a high activity and selectivity to furfuryl alcohol.