Hydrophobically modified ceramic-supported Pt-particle catalyst for enhanced water–hydrogen exchange reactions

Abstract

Hydrophobic catalysts are key to realizing water–hydrogen exchange reactions. However, current catalysts exhibit low mechanical strength, low utilization rate of Pt particle, and complex preparing process. Thus, further research is required to produce more stable and active catalysts that can be fabricated using simple manufacturing methods. However, the use of a ceramic carrier with a hydrophobic structure is expected to fill this need. Herein, a novel hydrophobically modified ceramic carrier was effectively fabricated by constructing a rough CeO2 surface structure with a low surface energy 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltrimethoxysilane coating. The Pt/hydrophobic-modified ceramic catalyst was then prepared via impregnation method using Pt-precursor solution and H2 reduction. Results revealed that the catalyst exhibited an average Pt particle size of 2.15 nm, and the Pt0 content reached 54.59 %. The catalyst achieved best conversion rate of 98.13 % using a test temperature of 60 °C with a hydrogen flow rate of 0.5 L/min. After testing for 4 weeks, the conversion rate of the novel catalyst decreased by less than 5 %. These results indicate the suitability of hydrophobically modified ceramic for the preparation of novel hydrophobic catalysts with good catalytic activity and stability; therefore, it has good application prospects for water–hydrogen exchange reactions.