The selective oxidation of hydrocarbons under mild conditions remains a challenging topic in the field of catalysis. Various studies have been reported concerning the oxidation of hydrocarbons, such as linear alkanes and aromatic compounds, using noble metals nanoparticles. The aim of this study is to investigate the selective oxidation of toluene using tertiary butyl hydroperoxide at 80 �C with supported noble metal nanoparticle catalysts prepared by sol-immobilisation techniques.Catalysts were prepared by Sol-immobilisation which involves the preparation of colloidal nanoparticles stabilised by PVA and reduced by NaBH4. Noble metal (Gold, Platinum and Palladium) colloids were used to form monometallic and bimetallic nanoparticles which were supported on activated carbon and TiO2 with the catalysts having a total metal loading of 1wt%. The order of addition of the metals into the preparation determined the morphology of the nanoparticles with sequential addition forming core-shell structures and co-addition forming homogeneous alloy nanoparticles.Characterisation of the catalysts was carried out by STEM and XPS to confirm the core-shell and alloy structures of the Au-Pt and Pd-Pt particles. STEM analysis showed that the catalyst had a particle size distribution between 1 and 6 nm with a mean value of 2.3 nm, as well as the particle morphology. XPS confirmed the formation of the core shell.All catalysts are selective to benzoic acid however for the carbon-supported materials, which display higher catalytic activity, we observe benzaldehyde-dimethylacetal and methyl benzoate as reaction products, which are not present in the products for the TiO2 supported catalysts. This may suggest differences in the mechanism. The most active catalysts are homogeneous Au-Pt alloys supported on carbon.

Selective catalytic oxidation of toluene using supported Au-Pt and Pd-Pt nanoalloys

248th National Meeting (2014)

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