Synthesis and characterization of Ti and N binary‐doped ɑ‐C films deposited by pulse cathode arc with ionic source assistant

Using ionic source assistant, Ti and N co‐doped amorphous C (α‐C:N:Ti) thin films were prepared by pulse cathode arc technique. Microstructure, composition, elemental distribution, morphology, and mechanical properties of α‐C:N:Ti films were investigated in dependence of nitrogen source, pulse frequency, and target current by Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, nanoindentation, and surface profilometer. The results show the presence of titanium carbide and nitride in a‐C:N:Ti films. The α‐C:N⁺:Ti film (6 Hz, 60 A) shows the smaller size and the higher disordering degree of Csp² clusters. The α‐C:N⁺:Ti films present smoother surface and smaller particle size than for α‐C:N₂:Ti films. N ions facilitate the formation of N‐sp³C bonds in the α‐C:N⁺:Ti films, and α‐C:N⁺:Ti (10 Hz, 80 A) film possesses the more graphite‐like N bonds. Higher hardness and lower residual stress present in the α‐C:N₂:Ti (10 Hz, 80 A) film.     

Bismuth‐Containing SBA‐15 Mesoporous Silica Catalysts for Solvent‐Free Liquid‐Phase Oxidation of Cyclohexane by Molecular Oxygen

Bismuth (Bi)‐containing SBA‐15 mesoporous silica catalysts, Bi/SBA‐15, with different Bi loadings were synthesized by a direct hydrothermal method. The materials were characterized in detail by various techniques. Powder‐X‐ray‐diffraction (PXRD), N₂‐adsorption/desorption, and transmission‐electron‐microscopic (TEM) analyses revealed that the well‐ordered hexagonal structure of SBA‐15 is maintained after Bi incorporation. Diffuse‐reflectance UV/VIS, Raman, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that the incorporated Bi‐atoms are highly dispersed, most of them entering the internal surface of SBA‐15. The new, very stable catalysts were found to be highly efficient for the oxidation of cyclohexane in a solvent‐free system, molecular oxygen (O₂) being used as oxidant.     

Influence of Pore Structure on Catalytic Properties of Mesoporous Silica-supported Co-B Amorphous Alloys in Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde to Cinnamyl Alcohol

Co‐B amorphous alloy catalysts supported on three kinds of mesoporous silica (common SiO₂, MCM‐41 and SBA‐15) have been systematically studied focusing on the effect of pore structure on the catalytic properties in liquid‐phase hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to cinnamyl alcohol (CMO). Structural characterization of a series of different catalysts was performed by means of N₂ adsorption, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, hydrogen chemisorption, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Various characterizations revealed that the pore structure of supports profoundly influenced the particle size, location and dispersion degree of Co‐B amorphous alloys. Co‐B/SBA‐15 was found more active and selective to CMO than either Co‐B/SiO₂ or Co‐B/MCM‐41. The superior catalytic activity could be attributed to the higher active surface area, because most of Co‐B nanoparticles in Co‐B/SBA‐15 were located in the ordered pore channels of SBA‐15 rather than on the external surface as found in Co‐B/SiO₂ and Co‐B/MCM‐41. Meanwhile, the geometrical confinement effect of the ordered mesoporous structure of SBA‐15 was considered to be responsible for the enhanced selectivity to CMO on Co‐B/SBA‐15, inhibiting the further hydrogenation of CMO to hydrocinnamyl alcohol.     

N‐heterocyclic carbene–palladium(II) complex supported on magnetic mesoporous silica for Heck cross‐coupling reaction

Magnetic mesoporous silica was prepared via embedding magnetite nanoparticles between channels of mesoporous silica (SBA‐15). The prepared composite (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐SBA) was then reacted with 3‐chloropropyltriethoxysilane, sodium imidazolide and 2‐bromopyridine to give 3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐iumpropyl‐functionalized Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐SBA as a supported pincer ligand for Pd(II). The functionalized magnetic mesoporous silica was further reacted with [PdCl₂(SMe₂)₂] to produce a supported N‐heterocyclic carbene–Pd(II) complex. The obtained catalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurement and X‐ray diffraction. The amount of the loaded complex was 80.3 mg g^?1, as calculated through thermogravimetric analysis. The formation of the ordered mesoporous structure of SBA‐15 was confirmed using low‐angle X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Also, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the Pd(II) complex on the magnetic support. The prepared magnetic catalyst was then effectively used in the coupling reaction of olefins with aryl halides, i.e. the Heck reaction, in the presence of a base. The reaction parameters, such as solvent, base, temperature, amount of catalyst and reactant ratio, were optimized by choosing the coupling reaction of 1‐bromonaphthalene and styrene as a model Heck reaction. N‐Methylpyrrolidone as solvent, 0.25 mol% catalyst, K₂CO₃ as base, reaction temperature of 120°C and ultrasonication of the catalyst for 10 min before use provided the best conditions for the Heck cross‐coupling reaction. The best results were observed for aryl bromides and iodides while aryl chlorides were found to be less reactive. The catalyst exhibited noticeable stability and reusability.     

Metathesis of 1‐Butene to Propene over Mo/Al2O3@SBA‐15: Influence of Alumina Introduction Methods on Catalytic Performance

A series of Mo‐based catalysts for 1‐butene metathesis to propene were prepared by supporting Mo species on SBA‐15 premodified with alumina. The effects of the method of introduction of the alumina guest to the host SBA‐15 on the location of the Mo species and the corresponding metathesis activity were studied. As revealed by N₂ adsorption isotherms and TEM results, well‐dispersed alumina was formed on the pore walls of SBA‐15 if the ammonia/water vapor induced hydrolysis (NIH) method was employed. The Mo species preferentially interacted with alumina instead of SBA‐15, as evidenced by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, time‐of‐flight secondary‐ion mass spectrometry, and IR spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine. Furthermore, new Brønsted acid sites favorable for the dispersion of the Mo species and low‐temperature metathesis activity were generated as a result of the effective synergy between the alumina and SBA‐15. The Mo/Al₂O₃@SBA‐15 catalyst prepared by the NIH method showed higher metathesis activity and stability under the conditions of 120 °C, 0.1 MPa, and 1.5 h^?1 than catalysts prepared by other methods.     

Saturated amine oxides: part 10. hydroacridines: part 32. linear 17O/13C and 13C/13C chemical shift correlations between saturated azaheterocyclic N‐methylamine N‐oxides,and the methiodides of their parent amines

Two kinds of good linear correlations were found between the chemical shifts of saturated six‐membered azaheterocyclic N‐methylamine N‐oxides and the chemical shifts of the methiodides of their parent amines. One of the correlations occurs between the ¹⁷O chemical shift of the N⁺―O^– oxygen in the N‐oxides and the ¹³C chemical shift of the N⁺―CH₃ methyl group analogously situated in the appropriate methiodide (r = 0.9778). This correlation enables unambiguous configuration assignment of the N⁺―O^– bond, even if the experimentally observed ¹⁷O chemical shift of only one N‐epimer is available, provided the ¹³C chemical shifts of both N⁺―CH₃ groups in the methiodide are known and assigned; furthermore, it can be used also for the estimation of ¹⁷O chemical shifts of the N⁺―O^– oxygens in N‐epimeric pairs of N‐oxides, for which observed ¹⁷O data hardly become available. The second correlation is observed between the ¹³C chemical shift of the N⁺―CH₃ methyl group in the N‐oxides and the ¹³C chemical shift of the N⁺―CH₃ methyl group analogously situated in the appropriate methiodide (r = 0.9785). It can be used for safe configuration assignment of the N⁺―CH₃ group and, indirectly, also of the N⁺―O^– bond in an amine N‐oxide, even if no ¹⁷O NMR data, and the ¹³C chemical shift of only one N‐epimer is available. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

13C and 15N NMR spectra of high‐energy polyazidocyanopyridines

¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR spectra of high‐energy 2,4,6‐triazidopyridine‐3,5‐dicarbonitrile, 2,3,5,6‐tetraazidopyridine‐4‐carbonitrile and 3,4,5,6‐tetraazidopyridine‐2‐carbonitrile are reported. The assignment of signals in the spectra was performed on the basis of density functional theory calculations. The molecular geometries were optimized using the M06‐2X functional with the 6‐311+G(d,p) basis set. The magnetic shielding tensors were calculated by the gauge‐independent atomic orbital method with the Tao–Perdew–Staroverov–Scuseria hybrid functional known as TPSSh. In all the calculations, a polarizable continuum model was used to simulate solvent effects. This approach provided accurate predictions of the ¹³C and ¹⁵N chemical shifts for all the three compounds despite complications arising due to non‐coplanar arrangement of the azido groups in the molecules. It was found that the ¹⁵N chemical shifts of the N_α atoms in the azido groups of 2,4,6‐triazidopyridines correlate with the ¹³C chemical shifts of the carbon atoms attached to these azido groups. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Composites of poly(L‐lactide‐trimethylene carbonate‐glycolide) and surface modified SBA‐15 as bone repair material

This work aims to develop novel composites from a poly(L ‐lactide‐co‐trimethylene carbonate‐co‐glycolide) (PLTG) terpolymer and mesoporous silica (SBA‐15) nanofillers surface modified by post‐synthetic functionalization. SBA‐15 first reacts with a silane coupling agent, γ‐aminopropyl‐trimethoxysilane to introduce ammonium group. PLLA chains were then grafted on the surface of SBA‐15 through ammonium initiated ring‐opening polymerization of L ‐lactide. Composites were prepared via solution mixing of PLTG terpolymer and surface modified SBA‐15. The structures and properties of pure SBA‐15, γ‐aminopropyl‐trimethoxysilane modified SBA‐15 (H₂N‐SBA‐15), PLLA modified SBA‐15 (PLLA‐NH‐SBA‐15), and PLTG/PLLA‐NH‐SBA‐15 composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption‐desorption, differential scanning calorimetry, contact angle measurement, and mechanical testing. The results demonstrated that PLLA chains were successfully grafted onto the surface of SBA‐15 with grafting amounts up to 16 wt.%. The PLTG/PLLA‐NH‐SBA‐15 composites exhibit good mechanical properties. The tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break of the composite containing 5 wt.% of PLLA‐NH‐SBA‐15 were 39.9 MPa, 1.3 GPa, and 273.6%, respectively, which were all higher than those of neat PLTG or of the composite containing 5 wt.% of pure SBA‐15. Cytocompatibility tests showed that the composites present very low cytotoxicity.     

Silver Nanoparticles Supported on CeO2‐SBA‐15 by Microwave Irradiation Possess Metal–Support Interactions and Enhanced Catalytic Activity

Metal–support interactions (MSIs) and particle size play important roles in catalytic reactions. For the first time, silver nanoparticles supported on CeO₂‐SBA‐15 supports are reported that possess tunable particle size and MSIs, as prepared by microwave (MW) irradiation, owing to strong charge polarization of CeO₂ clusters (i.e., MW absorption). Characterizations, including TEM, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure, were carried out to disclose the influence of CeO₂ contents on the Ag particle size, MSI effect between Ag nanoparticles and CeO₂‐SBA‐15 supports, and the strong MW absorption of CeO₂ clusters that contribute to the MSIs during Ag deposition. The Ag particle sizes were controllably tuned from 1.9 to 3.9 nm by changing the loading amounts of CeO₂ from 0.5 to 2.0 wt %. The Ag nanoparticle size was predominantly responsible for the high turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.41 min^?1 in ammonia borane dehydrogenation, whereas both particle size and MSIs contributed to the high TOF of 555 min^?1 in 4‐nitrophenol reduction for Ag/0.5CeO₂‐SBA‐15, which were twice as large as those of Ag/SBA‐15 without CeO₂ and Ag/CeO₂‐SBA‐15 prepared by conventional oil‐bath heating.     

Structural,compositional and hardness properties of hydrogenated amorphous carbon nitride thin films synthesized by dense plasma focus device

The hydrogenated amorphous carbon nitride (a‐CN_x:H) thin films were synthesized on the SS‐304 substrates using a dense plasma focus device. The a‐CN_x:H thin films were synthesized using CH₄/N₂ admixture gas and 20 focus deposition shots on substrates placed at different distances from the anode top. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman analysis confirmed different C–N bonding in the a‐CN_x:H thin films. A decrease in the N/C ratio as well as the sp³/sp² ratio with an increase in the substrate distance has been observed. The higher amount of C–N formation for the film synthesized at 10 cm is observed which decreases with increasing distance. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman analysis affirmed the C ≡ N presence in all the thin films synthesized at different distances. The morphology of the synthesized a‐CN_x:H thin films showed nanoparticles and nanoparticle clusters formation at the surface. The hardness results showed comparatively lower hardness of the a‐CN_x:H thin films due to the presence of C ≡ N. The C–N formation with lower amount of C ≡ N and a higher N/C ratio as well as a higher sp³/sp² ratio for the films synthesized at 10 cm show reasonably higher hardness. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A facile preparation method for synthesis of silica sulfuric acid/poly(o‐methoxyaniline) core–shell nanocomposite

A new nanocomposite of poly(o‐methoxyaniline) (POMA) is introduced by overlayer formation of POMA on silica. The key appealing feature of the synthesis is the role of silica sulfuric acid (SSA) both as solid acid dopant and template in overlayer self‐assembly of POMA on silica surface. Hereon siloxide group (Si―O^?) of silica surface is replaced with dopant anion of SSA (≡Si―O―SO₃^?), which leads to formation of a overlayer of POMA on the silica surface. The composite particles are spherical in the nanoscale range of 50 nm without application of any external template (no‐template synthesis). Nanocomposite was fully characterized by various instrumentation methods: Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), diffrential thermal analysis (DTA), elemental analysis (CHNS), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X‐ray difraction (XRD). Based on XPS and CHNS results, it is demonstrated that the doping level of POMA is as high as 50% and for the first time the ratio of 4:2:2 is obtained for ―NH― (amine): ―HN^.+― (polarons): ?HN⁺― (bipolarons), respectively. In fact, bipolarons may also coexist with polarons with a 1:1 ratio of them. Moreover, the synthesis benefits from the perspective of green chemistry which is preparation under solid‐state (solvent‐free) condition. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of the Conductivity of the Polypyrrole Film via Its CC Bonds Stretching on Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectrum

In this study, the conductivities of various polypyrrole (PPy) films were evaluated via the corresponding surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that the peak position of C?C bonds stretching of PPy obtained from the SERS spectrum shows more exactly both qualitatively and quantitatively representing the conductivity of PPy than the N⁺/N ratio or the doping level obtained from the XPS analysis does. Namely the peak position of C?C bonds stretching of PPy monotone decreases to a lower frequency side with the increase of the conductivity of PPy. Furthermore, a satisfactory correlated equation between them was obtained. On the contrary, neither the N⁺/N ratio nor the doping level can be qualitatively reflective on the corresponding conductivity of PPy.     

15N NMR spectra and reactivity of 2,4,6‐triazidopyridines, 2,4,6‐triazidopyrimidine and 2,4,6‐triazido‐s‐triazine

2,4,6‐Triazido‐s‐triazine, 2,4,6‐triazidopyrimidine and six different 2,4,6‐triazidopyridines were studied by ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy. The assignment of signals in the spectra was performed using the gauge‐independent atomic orbital (GIAO)–Tao‐Perdew‐Staroverov‐Scuseria exchange‐correlation functional (TPSS)h/6‐311+G(d,p) calculations on the M06‐2X/6‐311+G(d,p) optimized molecular geometries. The Truhlar and coworkers' continuum solvation model called SMD was applied to treat solvent effects. With this approach, the root mean square error in estimations of the ¹⁵N chemical shifts for the azido groups was just 1.9 ppm. It was shown that the different reactivity of the α‐ and γ‐azido groups in pyridines correlates well with the chemical shifts of the N_α signals of these groups. Of two nonequivalent azido groups of azines, the azido group with the most shielded N_α signal is the most electron‐deficient and reactive toward electron‐rich reagents. By contrast, the azido group of azines with the most deshielded N_α signal is the most reactive toward electron‐poor reagents. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface oxidation process of a diamond‐like carbon film analyzed by difference X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Difference X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (D‐XPS) revealed the surface oxidation process of a diamond‐like carbon (DLC) film. Evaluation of surface functional groups on DLC solely by the C 1s spectrum is difficult because the spectrum is broad and has a secondary asymmetric lineshape. D‐XPS clarified the subtle but critical changes at the DLC surface caused by wet oxidation. The hydroxyl (C―OH) group was dominant at the oxidized surface. Further oxidized carbonyl (C?O) and carboxyl (including carboxylate) (COO) groups were also obtained; however, the oxidation of C?O to COO was suppressed to some extent because the reaction required C―C bond cleavage. Wet oxidation cleaved the aliphatic hydrogenated and non‐hydrogenated sp² carbon bonds (C―H sp² and C―C sp²) to create a pair of C―OH and hydrogenated sp³ carbon (C―H sp³) bonds. The reaction yield for C―H sp² was superior at the surface, suggesting that the DLC film was hydrogen rich at the surface. Oxidation of aromatic sp² rings or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as nanographite to phenols did not occur because of their resonance stabilization with electron delocalization. Non‐hydrogenated sp³ carbon (C―C sp³) bonds were not affected by oxidation, suggesting that these bonds are chemically inert. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nitrogen‐doped mesoporous carbon materials for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane

The CN‐15‐x series materials with different doses of SBA‐15 template and the CN‐y‐2.0 series materials with different hard templates were prepared by the hard template method with hexamethylenetetramine as the carbon and nitrogen source. The obtained mesoporous carbon materials were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The catalytic performance of propane oxidative dehydrogenation was determined. The characterization results indicate that the catalytic activity of CN‐15‐2.0 with a bipartite hexagonal ordered structure was higher than those of the other materials. The conversion of propane was 22.98%, and the selectivity toward propylene was 41.70%.     

Cobalt Single‐Atom Catalysts with High Stability for Selective Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid

Metal–organic framework (MOF)‐derived Co‐N‐C catalysts with isolated single cobalt atoms have been synthesized and compared with cobalt nanoparticles for formic acid dehydrogenation. The atomically dispersed Co‐N‐C catalyst achieves superior activity, better acid resistance, and improved long‐term stability compared with nanoparticles synthesized by a similar route. High‐angle annular dark‐field–scanning transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, and X‐ray absorption fine structure characterizations reveal the formation of Co^IIN_x centers as active sites. The optimal low‐cost catalyst is a promising candidate for liquid H₂ generation.     

A new cardo bisphenol monomer containing pendant azido group and the resulting aromatic polyesters

Expanding on our strategy to synthesize aromatic step‐growth polymers containing pendant clickable azido groups via functional monomer approach, we have now designed and synthesized a new cardo bisphenol, viz., 2‐(2‐azidoethyl)‐3, 3‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl) isoindolin‐1‐one (PPH‐N₃). PPH‐N₃ was conveniently synthesized starting from commercially available phenolphthalein by a three‐step route in an overall yield of 65% using simple organic transformations. Aromatic (co)polyesters bearing pendant azido groups were synthesized by low‐temperature solution polycondensation of PPH‐N₃ or different molar ratios of PPH‐N₃ and bisphenol‐A (BPA) with aromatic diacid chlorides in dry dichloromethane in the presence of triethylamine (TEA) as a base. The formation of medium to reasonably high‐molecular‐weight (co)polyesters was evidenced from intrinsic viscosity and number‐average molecular‐weight measurements that were in the range 0.52–0.85 dL/g and 16,700–28,200, respectively. Tough, transparent, and flexible films could be cast from chloroform solutions of these (co)polyesters. (Co)polyesters were characterized using FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, XRD, and TGA. The thermal curing reaction of (co)polyesters involving decomposition of azido groups was studied by DSC analysis. The chemical modification of a representative copolyester containing pendant azido groups was carried out quantitatively using catalyst‐free azide‐maleimide cycloaddition reaction with two maleimides, namely, N‐methylmaleimide and N‐hexylmaleimide. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1516–1526     

Preparation and characterization of natural zeolite supported nano TiO2 photocatalysts by a modified electrostatic self‐assembly method

Natural zeolite supported nano TiO₂ photocatalysts were prepared by a modified electrostatic self‐assembly (ESA) method. First, γ‐mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane with sulfhydryl (―SH) functional groups was modified on the zeolite powders by using a ‘dry process’. Second, silane with ―SH functional groups was oxidized to sulfonate (―SO₃H) groups by using a hydrogen peroxide/glacial acetic acid mixed solution, and the surface of ―SO₃H silane–zeolite was electronegative charged due to the ionization of ―SO₃H. Third, the hydrolytic titanium polycation from TiCl₄ solution assembled onto the electronegative charged zeolite under electrostatic attraction in the reaction solutions. Finally, zeolite supported nano TiO₂ photocatalysts can be obtained after the above compounds calcined at certain temperature. The samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF). The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange in aqueous solution. The results showed that ESA method effectively improved the composite efficiency of zeolite with TiO₂. The photocatalysts prepared by ESA method exhibited higher photocatalytic and recycling activities than that of traditional method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Catalytic Hydrodechlorination of 1,2,4,5‐Tetrachlorobenzene over Various Supports Loaded Palladium Catalysts

Water pollution by polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons has always been a global issue. In this work, we reported a synthesis of supported palladium catalysts Pd/C, Pd/CeO₂, Pd/SBA‐15, Pd/ZrO₂,Pd/SiO₂, and Pd/Al₂O₃ as well as their catalytic activities on hydrodechlorination (HDC) of 1,2,4,5‐tetrachlorobenzene (TeCB). These Pd catalysts were characterized by Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) specific surface area, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy Dispersive X‐ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), CO‐chemisorption, and H2‐temperature programmed reduction (H2‐TPR) analysis. Pd/C, Pd/CeO₂ and Pd/SBA‐15 catalysts showed relatively high catalytic activities. The catalytic activities were associated with dispersion of Pd, metal surface area, and reaction temperature, etc.