Palladium nanoparticles supported over acetylene black for selective hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone

Exploring loaded noble metal catalysts for hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone under a mild reaction condition of atmospheric and low temperature is desirable but challenging. In the present work, Pd supported over acetylene black catalyst (Pd/ACET) was prepared by a simple impregnation method using industrial waste acetylene black as a carbon carrier. The catalyst is able to hydrogenate phenol to cyclohexanone with a high conversion of 97.3 % and a high selectivity of 99.9 %. Different metal loadings were found to have a large effect on the bonding state and functional structure of the acetylene black surface. A higher Pd0/Pd2+ ratio in the catalyst could produce a better catalytic performance on the phenol hydrogenation. The kinetic process of phenol hydrogenation was investigated to kinetically reveal the nature of high selectivity.