High efficiency conversion of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol using a novel platinum-tungsten catalyst supported on SBA-15

The hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol was conducted over a series of Pt-WO3/SBA-15 catalysts with Pt content ranging from 0.5 to 3 wt % and W content of 10 wt % in vapor phase under atmospheric pressure for the first time. The catalysts prepared via sequential impregnation method were systematically characterized using XRD, NH3-TPD, Py-IR, CO chemisorption, TPR, TEM, and surface area measurements. The catalysts exhibited unprecedented activity for selective formation of 1,3-propanediol via hydrogenolysis of glycerol. The effect of various reaction parameters such as catalyst loading, reaction temperature, hydrogen flow rate, glycerol concentration and reaction time were studied. The optimized reaction conditions showed that a high glycerol conversion (86%) and 1,3-propanediol selectivity (42%) was obtained over 2Pt-10WO₃/SBA-15 catalyst illustrating the potential of SBA-15 supported platinum–tungsten catalyst to be highly active and efficient. The Brønsted acid sites of the catalyst formed due to addition of WO₃ enhanced selective formation of 1,3-propanediol.