Platinum supported cellulose-based carbon with oxygen-containing functional groups for benzyl alcohol oxidation

Porous carbon was prepared through a simple and efficient method using microcrystalline cellulose as carbon source. Compared with pristine carbon (C-1), nitric acid treated carbon (C-2) has more acidic oxygen-containing groups on its surface (acid density: 0.14 mmol/g for C-1 and 2.13 mmol/g for C-2). Pt supported Pt/C-2 behaves a substantially enhanced catalytic oxidation activity of benzyl alcohol (conversion of 71.7%) compared with Pt/C-1(conversion of 37.2%) under the same conditions. Further characterizations and experiments indicate that the excellent dispersion of Pt nanoparticles and strong hydrogen bonding interaction between benzyl alcohol and Pt/C-2 are crucial for the enhanced catalytic activity. Our experimental results also show that mild temperature (60 degrees C) and non-polar solvents are more beneficial for the reaction, and O-2 atmosphere is a necessity for benzyl alcohol oxidation.