Pd on nitrogen rich polymer–halloysite nanocomposite as an environmentally benign and sustainable catalyst for hydrogenation of polyalfaolefin based lubricants

Abstract

Considering the importance of hydrofinishing of poly alpha-olefin oils from the industrial point of view, in this research both computational and experimental studies have been exploited for developing an environmentally benign and sustainable protocol for this process. To this purpose, it was decided to fabricate a novel nanocomposite by using a natural clay, halloysite, and multi-nitrogen containing polymer derived from low cost and available raw-materials. To find the optimum polymeric moiety for conjugating with halloysite, computational study was applied. In this regard and to design a proper support, the combination of 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine with a library containing 9 diamine compounds was taken into account. Computational results revealed the eligibility of propanediamine among the series toward gripping Pd nanoparticles as the catalytic active site. Using these data, the optimum composite was fabricated and palladated. Investigation of the performance of the resulting catalyst approved its excellent activity under very mild reaction conditions and recyclability up to six consecutive runs with insignificant Pd leaching and loss of activity. The results collected from this combined study affirmed that the present protocol is a green and sustainable methodology with potential for large scale applications.