Titanium Dioxide Reinforced Metal–Organic Framework Pd Catalysts: Activity and Reusability Enhancement in Alcohol Dehydrogenation Reactions and Improved Photocatalytic Performance

Abstract

AbstractPorous coordination polymers or metal–organic frameworks have been proposed as promising catalyst materials since their discovery. A fundamental problem associated with MOF‐based catalysts is the stability during their catalytic performance, especially in liquid‐phase catalysis. Herein, we report on the controlled incorporation of nanoscale palladium and titanium dioxide inside MIL‐101 (Cr). The introduction of the metal species was accomplished by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition and can be varied over a large weight‐percentage range. The enhanced catalytic activity and the improved reusability of the resulting Pd/TiO2@MIL‐101 composite materials were demonstrated in hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions. Furthermore, the presence of TiO2 (amorphous) allowed observing an enhanced photocatalytic activity.