Tandem site- and size-controlled Pd nanoparticles for the directed hydrogenation of furfural

DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.6b03190

Authors: Scott M. Rogers (UK Catalysis Hub, Research Complex at Harwell; University College London (UCL)) , C. Richard A. Catlow (UK Catalysis Hub, Research Complex at Harwell; University College London (UCL); Cardiff University) , Carine E. Chan-Thaw (Università degli Studi di Milano) , Arunabhiram Chutia (UK Catalysis Hub, Research Complex at Harwell; University College London (UCL)) , Nan Jian (University of Birmingham) , Richard E. Palmer (University of Birmingham) , Michal Perdjon (UK Catalysis Hub, Research Complex at Harwell; University College London (UCL); Cardiff University) , Adam Thetford (UK Catalysis Hub, Research Complex at Harwell; University College London (UCL)) , Nikolaos Dimitratos (The UK Catalysis Hub, Research Complex at Harwell; Cardiff University) , Alberto Villa (UK Catalysis Hub, Research Complex at Harwell; Università degli Studi di Milano) , Peter Wells (UK Catalysis Hub, Research Complex at Harwell; University College London; Diamond Light Source; University of Southampton)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Acs Catalysis

State: Published (Approved)
Published: January 2017
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 10306

Abstract: The conversion of biomass to useful chemical products requires precise catalytic properties to achieve the required activity, selectivity and durability. Here we show, through optimized colloidal synthesis, the tandem control of Pd size and site availability for the directed hydrogenation of the bio-derived intermediate, furfural. Adjusting the temperature of colloidal reduction dictates the size of Pd nanoparticles; in some instances ultra small clusters <20 atoms are achieved. Whereas, changing the solvent system, affects the PVA-Pd interaction and relative proportion of available surface sites (corners, edges, planes), allowing us to control the selectivity to the valuable hydrogenation products of furfuryl alcohol and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. We demonstrate, through combined experimental and computational studies, that Pd nanoparticle planes are more prone to deactivation through the formation of Pd carbide, and the resulting reduced efficacy of furfural binding. This approach to nanoparticle optimization is an important strategy for producing long lasting, high performance catalysts for emerging sustainable technologies.

Journal Keywords: Pd nanoparticles; Colloids; Clusters; Furfural hydrogenation; Heterogeneous catalysis; Pd carbide

Subject Areas: Chemistry, Materials


Instruments: B18-Core EXAFS

Added On: 23/01/2017 10:51

Documents:
acscatal.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Physical Chemistry Catalysis Chemistry Materials Science Nanoscience/Nanotechnology

Technical Tags:

Spectroscopy X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES)