(600an) Design and Evaluation of a Novel Carbon-Based Shape Selective Catalyst

In this study, a novel shape selective catalyst was synthesized by embedding platinum nano particles in the microstructure of carbon spheres. Furfuryl alcohol was used as the precursor of polyfurfuryl alcohol which is the carbon source. Heating platinum precursor, platinum acetylacetonate, in the presence of furfuryl alcohol led to formation of platinum nano particles. The size of the nano particles was controlled by changing the heating temperature. Emulsion polymerization of furfuryl alcohol in the presence of pluronic F-127 and platinum nano particles, and pyrolysis of the resultant crosslinked polymeric network at 800°C, resulted in carbonaceous structure containing platinum as the active catalytic site.

Catalysts synthesized this approach possess desired features needed in many industrial applications due to their unique structure and morphology. BET surface area measured by nitrogen physisorption is around 480 m²/g for as synthesized catalyst. Catalyst has a narrow micropore size distribution with an average pore size of 0.5 nm which makes it a suitable candidate for shape selective catalysis. The average pore size and porosity of the catalyst can be further engineered by either CO₂ activation or using pore inducing agents such as non-carbonizing poly(ethylene glycol) during synthesis. High stability of the platinum nano particles against sintering, even after multiple high temperature heat treatments at 800°C, is another important characteristic of the synthesized catalyst. Activity and selectivity of the synthesized catalysts were measured in liquid phase hydrogenation of alkenes.