Design of nanocatalysts supported on magnetic nanocomposites containing silica, ceria and titania

Author(s)

Lucas Lucchiari Ribeiro Vono

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2016-03-18

Examining board members

Liane Marcia Rossi; Pedro Henrique Cury Camargo; Benjamin Katryniok; Mario Roberto Meneghetti; Karine Nathalie Philippot; Robert Jan Wojcieszak

• Advisor: Liane Marcia Rossi

Abstract

Magnetic separation has received a lot of attention as a robust, highly efficient and rapid catalyst separation technology. Many studies have focused on developing methodologies for the immobilization of catalytic active species, but the development of magnetic supports has been mainly limited to silica, polymer or carbon-coated magnetic nanoparticles (NPs). The design of magnetic nanocomposites and the incorporation of other oxides are highly welcome to broaden the application of this separation technology in the field of catalysis. In this context, studies of the thermal stability of silica-coated magnetite (Fe3O4@SiO2) were performed to evaluate the possibility of calcining it without losing the magnetic properties of the support. The calcination would permit the deposition of different oxides on the silica surface, such as ceria and titania. The calcined Fe3O4@SiO2 material preserved the core-shell morphology and magnetic properties, but increased its surface area six times. New magnetic supports were developed by using post-coating process for the deposition of ceria and titania onto silica-coated magnetite. Magnetically recoverable Rh, Pd and Ru nanocatalysts were prepared. The catalysts were employed in hydrogenation of cyclohexene, benzene or phenol and the study of the influence of each support on the catalytic activity was a main objective of this thesis. The catalysts were prepared by two different approaches: the impregnation and the sol-immobilization of pre-formed metal NPs. The colloidal metal NPs were prepared by reduction of metal salts and also by decomposition of organometallic complexes. Rhodium catalysts prepared by impregnation of rhodium(III) chloride and reduction with H2 showed some reproducibility issues that were surpassed by using NaBH4 or hydrazine as reducing agents. The preparation of catalysts by the immobilization of colloidal NPs is an interesting alternative to obtain reproducible and very active catalysts. Nanoparticles of Pd, Rh and Ru were prepared by an organometallic approach and immobilized on calcined Fe3O4@SiO2, Fe3O4@SiO2CeO2 and Fe3O4@SiO2TiO2. The elimination of the stabilizing agent leads to more active catalysts upon recycling. Rhodium catalysts supported on ceria support was the most active catalyst in the hydrogenation of cyclohexene (TOF 125,000 h-1). Palladium catalysts were the most selective catalyst for the hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone, no matter the support used. The formation of cyclohexanol is enhanced with titania and the hydrodeoxygenation to produce cyclohexane occurred mainly with silica. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/11102-0 - Development of nanocomposites as supports for nanostructured metal catalysts
• Grantee: Lucas Lucchiari Ribeiro Vono
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate