Hydrogenation of benzene and toluene over size controlled Pt/SBA-15 catalysts: Elucidation of the Pt particle size effect on reaction kinetics

► We studied vapor-phase benzene and toluene hydrogenation over 1.5-5.2 nm Pt/SBA-15. ► The catalysts are highly selective toward complete hydrogenation reaction paths. ► TORs, EA, and ln(r0) were Pt particle size dependent between 334 K and 398 K. ► Reaction orders on H2 and hydrocarbon were independent of Pt particle size.