One-Step Encapsulation of Bimetallic Pd–Co Nanoparticles Within UiO-66 for Selective Conversion of Furfural to Cyclopentanone

Abstract

The design of efficient catalysts is of important significance for the transformation of biomass into chemicals. In this work, bimetallic Pd–Co nanoparticles were encapsulated within UiO-66 to form a core–shell Pd–Co@UiO-66 catalyst via a facile one-step strategy. The as-synthesized Pd–Co@UiO-66 catalysts were characterized and applied to the selective hydrogenation of furfural (FUR) to cyclopentanone (CPO). Compared with the monometallic Pd@UiO-66, the Pd–Co@UiO-66 could demonstrate excellent performance with 96% CPO selectivity and 99% FUR conversion at 120 °C under 3 MPa H2 pressure for 12 h. It was found that trace Co had synergetic and promoting effects on the catalytic performance. The core–shell catalysts showed more outstanding recyclability than the supported catalysts, which could maintain high CPO yield after 5th runs.