Selective oxidation of glycerol over nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes supported platinum catalyst in base-free solution

•N-doped MWCNT supported Pt NPs (1.8 nm) was prepared in a facile routine.•N-MWCNTs can improve the dispersion of Pt through SMSI and electron donating.•Pt/N-MWCNT is active and stable for the selective oxidation of glycerol.•Deactivation of Pt during glycerol oxidation can be depressed by the addition of nitrogen.

In this communication, N-doped multiwall carbon nanotube (N-MWCNT) supported Pt NPs (1.8 nm) were prepared via a facile routine under microwave irradiation and tested in the selective oxidation of glycerol in an aqueous base-free solution. Characterizations confirmed that N-MWCNTs could improve the dispersion of Pt through strengthened metal-support interactions and donate its electron to metallic Pt. This electron-enriched Pt NPs on the surface of N-MWCNTs is active and stable for the selective oxidation of glycerol.

Graphical abstractN-doped MWCNT supported Pt NPs is highly active, selective and stable for the oxidation of glycerol in an aqueous base-free solution.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide