Selective hydrogenation of citral over a novel platinum/MWNTs nanocomposites

Pt was introduced into pure and polyacrylic acid (PAA) grafting multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by electroless metal deposition method and used as catalysts for hydrogenation of citral. The catalysts exhibited higher activity in the hydrogenation of citral when compared with Pt impregnated active carbon (AC) catalyst, while the selectivity of the catalysts on different MWNTs supports were quite different. The catalyst characterization results reveal that the selectivity of products is related with the morphology of the MWNTs and Pt(1 1 1) facet, functionalized carbon nanotubes will orient Pt facet and facilitate its dispersion on support.