Synthesis of Pd/C catalyst using formaldehyde reduction method and application for ultrasound assisted transfer hydrogenation of corn oil

Abstract

The current work focuses on synthesis of Pd/C catalyst initially based on formaldehyde reduction approach followed by detailed investigation into intensification of catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) using ultrasound using the synthesized catalyst. The obtained catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface analysis and FT-IR. The XRD characteristic peaks of palladium (Pd) at 2Ɵ angle of 39.5° and 68.1° coupled with a decrease in BET surface area for the obtained catalyst compared to activated carbon confirmed proper metal loading over activated carbon. The subsequent part of the work focused on understanding the effect of different operating parameters in CTH of corn oil to maximize the progress of reaction. Under the established best conditions of ultrasonic power as 120 W, frequency of 24 kHz, 60 °C, 600 rpm, 2% w/w as loading of catalyst, 50 mL as quantum of water, maximum reduction in the iodine value (selected as parameter to monitor the progress of the reaction) was obtained from initial of 124.46 g/100 g of corn oil to 93.61 g/100 g of corn oil. Comparison of the obtained results for ultrasound assisted approach with conventional approach also allowed demonstrating the process intensification aspects of applying ultrasound for catalytic transfer hydrogenation of corn oil.