Pd nano-particles (NPs) confined in titanate nanotubes (TNTs) for hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde

• A Pd@TNT catalyst with Pd NPs entrapped in titanate nanotubes
• The Pd@TNT exhibited significantly enhanced activity towards hydrogenation.
• The effect of confinement on the catalyst was investigated.
• Confinement could decrease particles size and intensify Pd–TiO2 interaction.

A Pd@TNT catalyst with Pd nano-particles (NPs) entrapped in titanate nano-tubes (TNTs) was prepared by vacuum assisted-impregnation of TNT with dichloride palladium (PdCl2) aqueous solution. Applied in the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde, the Pd@TNT catalyst presented nearly 100% conversion with ~ 80% selectivity towards hydrocinnamaldehyde at 30 °C and 0.5 MPa of pH 2. The mass reaction rate indicates that the Pd@TNT showed ~ 1.5 and 2 times higher activity than the Pd/TNT and commercial Pd/C catalysts, respectively. The enhanced activity can be ascribed to the confinement effect of TNT on the Pd NPs.