Catalytic activity of immobilized Ru nanoparticles in a porous metal-organic framework using supercritical fluid

A Zr-based metal-organic framework (Zr-MOF) with both micropores and mesopores was prepared by the reaction of 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2BDC) and ZrOCl2·8H2O with the aid of a citric acid (CA) chelating agent and a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant. This was followed by formation of a Ru@Zr-MOF catalyst from RuCl3·3H2O in a supercritical CO2-methanol solution. The catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, power X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. Ru particles with an average diameter of 2.3 nm were uniformly supported in the Zr-MOF. The catalytic performance of Ru@Zr-MOF for the hydrogenation of benzene and its derivatives was investigated and was found to be active and stable.