Preparation and characterization of Pd/Si-MCM-41 with high hydrogenation activity

The pure silica mesoporous molecular sieve MCM-41 was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Pd/Si-MCM-41 was prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation of pure silica MCM-41 with PdCl₂ as precursor. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms at 77 K, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy measurements. The formation of Pd particles reduced the crystalline character of Si-MCM-41, but the structure of Si-MCM-41 framework was retained. The designed Pd/Si-MCM-41 mesoporous material was used as catalysts for hydrogenation of rosin, and showed excellent catalytic performance. Such outstanding catalytic performance should be attributed to the proper size of Pd particles and its high dispersion.