Carbon Nanotubes Supported Ru-Mo Bimetallic Catalyst and the Performance in Liquid Phase Hydrogenation of Glycerol with Phosphotungstic Acid

A series of Ru and Mo bimetallic catalysts supported on carbon nanotubes were prepared and applied in glycerol hydrogenation. The surface chemical and physical properties of the catalysts were characterized and the potential active sites of the catalysts were investigated from the aspects of the performance of glycerol hydrogenation. By combining the characterization analysis and the catalytic performance, it showed that the existence of MoOx-Ru on the surface of the catalyst material was beneficial to improve the adsorption of secondary -OH and the hydrogenation performance of glycerol. Moreover, the addition of phosphotungstate acid in the reaction system was favorable for the dehydration of glycerol molecules, and the chemical adsorption and dissociation of hydrogen molecules. The optimal catalyst Ru-1%Mo/CNTs exhibited a good performance with 55.2% of glycerol conversion and 96.8% selectivity to C3 alcohols (1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, n-propanol) with 26.4% of 1,3-propanediol when 0.12 g phosphotungstate was added into the catalytic system. These findings provide a promising approach for the rational design of glycerol hydrogenation catalytic system and the development of bimetallic materials. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

The study showed that Ru and Mo bimetallic catalysts supported on carbon nanotubes improved glycerol hydrogenation performance, while the addition of phosphotungstate acid facilitated dehydration of glycerol molecules, chemical adsorption, and dissociation of hydrogen molecules.