Preparation of a Cu-Ru/carbon naeotube catalyst for hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol via hydrogen spillover

摘要

A Cu-Ru nanoparticle catalyst supported on carbon nanotubes was prepared by a chemical replacement reaction between Cu metal nanoparticles and Ru~(3+) cations. The as-prepared catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, H_2 and CO chemisorption, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the highly dispersed Ru clusters were present on the external surface of the Cu particles. These tiny Ru clusters did not activate glycerol to carry its hydrogenolysis, but instead activated and generated active hydrogen, which was transferred to the Cu surface nearby via hydrogen spillover. The Cu-Ru catalyst exhibited selectivity for 1,2-propanediol that was as high as Cu metal, and much higher hydrogenolysis activity than pure Cu metal because of the hydrogen spillover effect, which benefited from the Ru clusters.