Mesoporous WO3 Supported Pt Catalyst for Hydrogenolysis of Glycerol to 1,3-Propanediol

Mesoporous tungsten trioxide (m-WO3) was prepared using an evaporation-induced self-assembly method and was used as the support of Pt for hydrogenolysis of glycerol to produce 1,3-propanediol. In comparison with commercial WO3, the m-WO3 presents a much larger surface area and better reducibility, which make the Pt particles highly dispersed on the support. At a reaction condition of 180 degrees C, 5.5 MPa H-2, and reaction time of 12 h, the Pt/m-WO3 catalyst afforded 18.0% conversion of glycerol and 39.2% selectivity for 1,3-propanediol, both of which are much higher than those on commercial Pt/WO3 catalyst.