Studies on Synthesis of Sub‐Nanometre Size Pt Particles Stabilized on ZrO2 Matrix for Formic Acid Mediated Synthesis of γ‐Valerolactone

Abstract

AbstractA single‐step synthesis and stabilization of Pt nanoparticles on a nano‐zirconia (12‐13 nm) support matrix by a facile template‐assisted solvothermal method has been described. The formation of Pt nano‐material has been confirmed with XRD, HRTEM, and XPS analysis. The TEM results confirmed the formation of spherical‐shaped platinum with an average size of 0.8 nm. This single‐step and facile synthesis is an advanced approach to controlling the size of the support material and governs the dispersion of NPs in the support matrix. The catalytic activity of Pt nanoparticles supported on ZrO2 was studied for the conversion of levulinic acid to γ‐Valerolactone by a formic acid‐mediated hydrogenation reaction. The catalyst was found to be highly stable as it did not lose its catalytic activity even after four consecutive cycles. Moreover, the density functional theory (DFT) method was employed to investigate how the energy of activation is influenced by increasing the Pt cluster size.