Modification of functionalized mesoporous silica on the formation and the catalytic performance of platinum nanocatalysts

Several functionalized mesoporous silicas (MCM-41 and SBA-15 terminated with amino groups by multistep graft) are prepared and used as carriers for platinum nanoparticles. Modification of the grafted molecules is investigated on the component of the silicas and the formation of nanoparticles. Catalytic performance of the loaded platinum nanocatalysts is tested on selective hydrogenation of ortho-chloronitrobenzene (o-CNB). Results indicate that SBA-15 can be grafted with more amino groups than MCM-41. In most cases, small quantity of platinum precursor benefits the formation of small platinum nanoparticles on the functionalized silicas. The platinum nanocatalysts loaded on the one-step grafted silicas hold better catalytic activity and slightly lower selectivity to ortho-chloroaniline (o-CAN) than those loaded on the two-step grafted silicas. Besides the advantage of reuse, the loaded platinum catalysts on the functionalized silicas have similar catalytic property as the colloidal platinum nanocatalysts.