Microreactor containing platinum nanoparticles for nitrobenzene hydrogenation

Pt nanoparticles were immobilized inside a microreactor to catalyze the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to aniline. Catalyst support layers were provided on the inner wall of the microreactor to enhance the adsorption and reaction of the Pt nanoparticles. Using this immobilization method, the Pt nanoparticles inside the microreactor exhibited a good catalytic activity and also were easily regenerated even after they were deactivated. During a 14-h continuous experiment, the average yield of aniline was higher than 92% for 50 mM initial nitrobenzene concentration with the retention time of 12 s. This is equivalent to a turnover frequency of 3200 h−1. The deactivation mechanism of the Pt nanoparticles was also discussed in a long-time reaction.

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► Pt nanoparticles immobilized inside a microreactor.
► Hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to aniline.
► Deactivation mechanism for a longtime reaction.