Nanoscale metals offer increased surface area-to-volume ratios in comparison to their bulk counterparts. Thus transitions towards nanoscale catalysts can reduce industrial and manufacturing costs. One limitation of nanoscale catalysts, however, is the difficulty of removal from the reaction mixture. By anchoring a nanoscale catalyst to a microscopic substrate, microfiltration can separate the catalyst from the reaction mixture; overcoming the removal limitation. Here, we present the results of our investigations in the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles anchored on varied substrates for catalysis.  Our synthetic approach is facile, occurs at room temperature and utilizes a mild reductant: coffee. This process results in the palladium nanoparticles being successfully anchored directly to substrates. We investigated activated charcoal and diatomaceous earth as substrates, using the hydrogenation of methyl trans-cinnamate to compare the efficacy of our substrates. Our results include characterization of the catalysts and optimization of the reaction conditions.

Substrate considerations in the design of a sustainable heterogeneous catalyst

247th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.