Alcohol oxidations under mild conditions using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-stabilized gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) bimetallic nanoparticle catalysts in aqueous solutions have been investigated. We are exploring the optimum ratio and nanoparticle type which make the best catalyst. Different types of nanoparticles inlcude heterogeneous mixtures (two metals evenly distributed throughout) or core-shell nanoparticles (one metal in the interior and another on the exterior surface). Using the reaction of 2-butanol oxidized with potassium carbonate producing butanone (also known as methyl ethyl ketone or MEK) catalyzed by the nanoparticles, we vary the nanoparticle composition to find the most efficient bimetallic catalyst. This reaction, product formation, and &lt;span style="line-height:20.7999992370605px"&gt;reaction &lt;/span&gt;time were followed through the use of gas chromatography (GC). We have determined that the reaction utilizing the 80:20 Au:Pt heterogeneous nanoparticle catalyst showed the greatest production of MEK for that type of nanoparticle and were also much more efficient than the single metals. The core-shell nanoparticles are currently under investigation to determine the best overall Au:Pt bimetallic catalyst for this reaction.

Investigating the best type of gold and platinum bimetallic nanoparticle catalyst for alcohol oxidation reactions

249th National Meeting (2015)

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