Dispersion of Pt catalysts supported on activated carbon and their catalytic performance in methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation

Activated carbon-supported Pt catalysts were prepared by the conventional wetness impregnation method, and their catalytic activity for methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation was tested. The impact of different treatments (nitric acid oxidation and H-2 heating treatment) of carbon supports on the reaction performance was addressed. The results of nitrogen adsorption and temperature-programmed desorption show that the carbon supports have almost identical porous texture but different types and amounts of surface oxygen groups. This led to different dispersion of Pt particles and thus different activity and stability of the catalysts.