Vapour-phase hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol over supported Pt catalysts: the effect of supports on the catalytic functionalities

Samudrala Shanthi Priya, Vanama Pavan Kumar, Mannepalli Lakshmi Kantam, Suresh K. Bhargava, Komandur V. R. Chary

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34 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Platinum catalysts with 2 % (w/w) Pt supported on ZrO2, Sulfated ZrO2, γ-Al2O3, AlPO4, activated carbon and Y-Zeolite have been investigated for the selective vapour phase hydrogenolysis of biomass derived glycerol to 1,3-propanediol at moderate reaction temperature and atmospheric pressure. All the catalysts were synthesized by the wet impregnation method using chloroplatinic acid precursor. The physico-chemical properties of the catalysts were investigated by XRD, FTIR, SEM, CO-chemisorption, TPR, TEM, NH3-TPD and Pyridine adsorbed FTIR spectroscopy. The catalytic experimental results combined with the characterization studies showed that the glycerol conversion and the yield of 1,3-propanediol greatly depend on the nature of the support. The results also suggest that a correlation exists between catalytic activity and acidity. A key parameter to assess the best catalyst performance is the dispersion of Pt on the support and the metal-support interaction. Among various supported Pt catalysts screened for vapour phase glycerol hydrogenolysis, the Pt/AlPO4 catalyst exhibited the best activity towards glycerol conversion (100 %) and 1,3-propanediol selectivity (35.4 %). Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2129-2143
Number of pages15
JournalCatalysis Letters
Volume144
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 1,3-Propanediol
  • Glycerol
  • Hydrogenolysis
  • Platinum

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