Partially embedded highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles in mesoporous carbon with enhanced leaching stability

Mesoporous carbon materials with highly dispersed platinum nanoparticles have been prepared by a one-pot template-assisted synthesis route. Different amounts of hexachloroplatinic acid were added to a silica–sucrose mixture and heat treated in nitrogen and hydrogen flow. The obtained Pt/C materials have been investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption at 77 K, thermo gravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and infrared monitored CO adsorption experiments. Further, Pt/C materials have been used in the liquid-phase oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid to determine their catalytic performance. It has been found that the platinum nanoparticles are partially embedded in the carbon material. However, the Pt sites are accessible for adsorption, and the Pt/C catalysts show good catalytic activity compared to materials prepared by impregnation/reduction. The partial embedding of the Pt nanoparticles accounts for the enhanced leaching stability of the Pt phase during long-term use.