Direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen over palladium catalyst supported on SO3H-functionalized MCF silica: Effect of calcination temperature of mesostructured cellular foam silica

Abstract

Palladium catalysts supported on SO3H-functionalized MCF silica (Pd/SO3H-MCF-T (T=450, 550, 650, 750, 850, and 950)) were prepared with a variation of calcination temperature (T, °C) of MCF silica. They were then applied to the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen. Conversion of hydrogen, selectivity for hydrogen peroxide, and yield for hydrogen peroxide showed volcano-shaped curves with respect to calcination temperature of MCF silica. Yield for hydrogen peroxide increased with increasing acid density of Pd/SO3H-MCF-T catalysts. Thus, acid density of Pd/SO3H-MCF-T catalysts played an important role in determining the catalytic performance in the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide. Pd/SO3H-MCF-T catalysts efficiently served as an acid source and as an active metal catalyst in the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide.