Glycerol oxidation with gold supported on carbon xerogels: Tuning selectivities by varying mesopore sizes

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Elodie Rodrigues (Author) FEUP; Manuel Fernando R Pereira (Author) FEUP; José Melo Orfão (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

Vol. 115

Pages: 1-6

ISSN: 0926-3373

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 21 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 30 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Chemical engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-B43

DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2011.12.008

Abstract (EN): Two carbon xerogels (CX) with different pore size distributions were prepared by the conventional approach (condensation of resorcinol and formaldehyde). The key variable to control those sizes is the pH of the aqueous solution. Gold nanoparticles were supported on the prepared CXs by the sol immobilization method and tested in the selective oxidation of glycerol, with the main purpose of evaluating the influence of the textural properties on the activity and selectivity. Mesopore sizes of the support have a strong effect on the distribution of products: wide pores enhance the formation of dihydroxyacetone whereas narrow mesopores favor the oxidation towards glyceric acid. Additionally, the selectivity results obtained with carbon xerogels were compared with those achieved with other carbon supports (activated carbon and multi-walled carbon nanotubes) and the same trend was observed. Therefore, it seems that the distribution of products can be controlled by the adequate choice of the support. For this purpose, carbon xerogel is a promising material since its pore size can be easily modified in a controllable way during the preparation stage.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6