Utilization of clay minerals for developing Pt nanoparticles and their catalytic activity in the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde

Platinum sub colloids (nm range) were synthesized in the presence of a surfactant (CTAB) by micellar technique in which the metal particles ensured long-term stability in the aqueous dispersion and were prevented from agglomeration. When this surfactant stabilized Pt hydrosol was allowed to react with aqueous suspension of Na⁺ montmorillonite or Li⁺ hectorite, the cationic exchange reaction between Na⁺/Li⁺ and organic cation (CTA⁺) took place with simultaneous incorporation of the reduced Pt particles into the organoclay host. Finely divided and well-dispersed Pt particles (nm range) were generated by this method in the interlamellar space of the montmorillonite and hectorite. The catalyst samples with different metal loadings were synthesized and characterized with UV–Vis spectroscopy, XRD, TEM and AAS techniques. From the TEM micrographs it was confirmed that the diameter of the Pt particles intercalated was in the nanometer range. The catalytic activity of the synthesized catalysts was studied towards the selective hydrogenation of CO bond in cinnamaldehyde using a batch type high pressure reactor at different temperatures and hydrogen pressures. The catalytic activity of the catalysts and their selectivity towards cinnamyl alcohol were discussed in detail. The activity and selectivity of 1 wt.% Pt loaded montmorillonite catalyst was found to be appreciable.