Preparation of SiO2-encapsulated SnPt nanoparticle catalysts for selective hydrogenation of unsaturated aldehyde

The SiO2-encapsulated SnPt catalysts having the core–shell structures were prepared by using the polyol process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated the SnPt alloy nanoparticles were covered with a thin silica layer with the porous structures. The SiO2-encapsulated SnPt catalysts showed the higher selectivity of crotyl alcohol for selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde in comparison with the Sn-Pt/SiO2 catalysts prepared by a conventional co-impregnation. It was considered that the formation of uniform SnPt alloy phases and the pore structures in the silica layers with the steric hindrance would enhance the chemo-selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde.

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► Silica-encapsulated SnPt catalyst enables the highly chemo-selective hydrogenation.
► Silica-encapsulated SnPt catalyst prepared by a polyol process had a core-shell structure.
► The SnPt alloy phase as a core was covered with a thin silica layer.
► High selectivity was due to the uniform SnPt alloy phases and the pore structures in the SiO2 layers.