Discovering positively charged Pt for enhanced hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol

Abstract

Atomically-dispersed Pt supported on WO_x-modified tantalum oxide was developed as a highly active catalyst for selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol, with the productivity of 30.80 g g_Pt⁻¹ h⁻¹ toward 1,3-propanediol. The WO_x species pre-deposited on T-Ta₂O₅ were found to assist the atomic dispersion of platinum. The WO_x-stabilized Pt^δ+ species adsorb hydrogen easily and facilitate the hydrogen heterolytic dissociation, which significantly enhances the capability of in situ generated Brønsted acid sites and the hydrogenation activity. This provides a new strategy for developing bi-functional catalysts for a broad range of hydrogen and acid-involved reaction.