Magnetically recyclable Pt/C(Ni) nanocatalysts with improved selectivity for hydrogenation of o-chloronitrobenzene

Magnetically recyclable Pt/C(Ni) catalysts consisting of Pt nanoparticles on the surface of flower-like C(Ni) nanocomposite was synthesized and tested for the selective hydrogenation of o-chloronitrobenzene to o-chloroaniline at 30 degrees C and atmospheric pressure. The Pt/C(Ni) catalysts show higher selectivity towards o-chloroaniline than the Pt/C catalyst due to the synergistic effect between Pt and Ni species, which is partly evidenced by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results. Another promising feature of the as-made Pt/C(Ni) catalysts is that they can be easily separated from the reaction system by using an external magnetic field, and this is beneficial for the recycle of noble metal catalysts. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.