Design of nanocatalysts supported on magnetic nanocomposites containing silica, ceria and titania

Abstract

Magnetic separation has received a lot of attention as a robust, highly efficient and rapid catalyst separation technology. Many studies have focused on the immobilization of catalytic active species, but the development of magnetic supports has been limited to silica, polymer or carbon-coated magnetic nanoparticles (NPs). The design of magnetic nanocomposites and the incorporation of other oxides are thus highly welcome to broaden the application of this separation technology in the field of catalysis. In this context, studies of the thermal stability of silica coated magnetite (Fe3O4@SiO2) were performed to evaluate the possibility of calcining it without losing the magnetic properties of the support. The calcination would permit the deposition of different oxides on the silica surface, such as ceria and titania. The calcined Fe3O4@SiO2 material preserved its core-shell morphology and magnetic properties, and increased its surface area six times. A post-coating process was developed for the deposition of ceria and titania on Fe3O4@SiO2. Magnetically recoverable Rh, Pd and Ru nanocatalysts were prepared on the surface of the magnetic supports. The obtained catalysts were employed in hydrogenation of cyclohexene, benzene or phenol and the study of the influence of each support on the catalytic activity was the main objective of this thesis. For the deposition of the metallic nanoparticles on the supports in order to obtain the active catalysts two different approaches were followed: the impregnation and the sol immobilization of pre-formed metal NPs. Concerning the synthesis of the colloidal metal NPs, they were prepared either by reduction of metal salts or by decomposition of organometallic complexes. Rhodium catalysts prepared by impregnation of rhodium(III) chloride and reduction with H2 showed some reproducibility issues that were surpassed by using NaBH4 or hydrazine as reducing agents. The preparation of catalysts by the immobilization of colloidal NPs is an interesting alternative to obtain reproducible and very active catalysts. Nanoparticles of Pd, Rh and Ru were prepared by an organometallic approach and immobilized on calcined Fe3O4@SiO2, Fe3O4@SiO2CeO2 and Fe3O4@SiO2TiO2. The elimination of Rh stabilizing agent over ceria support appears to be different than in other supports and was the most active catalyst in the hydrogenation of cyclohexene (TOF 125,000 h-1). The Rh, Pd and Ru catalysts were employed in the hydrogenation of phenol. Palladium was the most selective catalyst to cyclohexanone, no matter the support used. The formation of cyclohexanol is enhanced in the support with titania and the hydrodeoxygenation to produce cyclohexane occurred mainly in the support with silica.