Pt nanoparticle supported on nanocrystalline CeO2: highly selective catalyst for upgradation of phenolic derivatives present in bio-oil

Pt nanoparticle supported on nanocrystalline CeO2 was prepared, and it was found that the catalyst can selectively hydrogenate phenolic derivatives present in bio-oil. The catalyst was characterized by XRD, XPS, ICP-AES, EXAFS, SEM and TEM. TEM micrograms confirm the presence of very small Pt nanoparticles supported on nanocrystalline CeO2. The catalyst was found to be very effective in liquid phase hydrogenation of phenol and phenolic compounds present in bio-oil in the presence of molecular H2. The synergy between the surface and very small Pt particles on the nanocrystalline CeO2 plays the most vital role towards the extremely high catalytic activity of the catalyst. The reusability of the catalyst was tested, and it was found that the catalyst does not exhibit any significant change in its catalytic activity even after five reuses. The catalyst showed ∼100% conversion with very high selectivity after 3 h in phenol conversions of 100% with >98% cyclohexanol selectivity achieved after 3 h of reaction at 100 °C in aqueous medium.