Solvent-Free Synthesis of Zeolite Crystals Encapsulating Gold-Palladium Nanoparticles for the Selective Oxidation of Bioethanol.

Zhang, Jian; Wang, Liang; Zhu, LongfENg; Wu, Qinming; ChEN, Chunyu; Wang, Xiong; Ji, Yanyan; MENg, Xiangju; Xiao, FENg ‐ Shou

The conversion of bioethanol into valuable products is an important area in the conversion of biomass. We demonstrate the successful synthesis of bimetallic gold-palladium (Au-Pd) nanoparticles encapsulated within S-1 zeolite crystals (AuPd@S-1) by a solvent-free strategy. This strategy allows highly efficient use of the noble metals, with more than 96 % of the gold and palladium being loaded into the final samples. Electron microscopy characterization and investigations with probe molecules confirm that the Au-Pd nanoparticles are encapsulated inside the S-1 crystals. The AuPd@S-1 catalyst is very active for the aerobic oxidation of bioethanol, giving 100 % conversion and 99 % selectivity to acetic acid. Even in the presence of 90 % water, the catalyst still gives a conversion higher than 80 % and a selectivity of 95 %. More importantly, the AuPd@S-1 catalyst exhibits excellent stability in the oxidation of bioethanol. These features are important for future practical applications of the AuPd@S-1 catalyst.

ZEOLITES; NANOPARTICLES; ETHANOL as fuel; CHEMICAL synthesis; SUSTAINABLE chemistry

ChemSusChem, 2015, Vol 8, Issue 17, p2867

1864-5631

Academic Journal

10.1002/cssc.201500261