Microwave-assisted fast fabrication of a nanosized Pt3Co alloy on reduced graphene oxides

Ultrafine and homogenously dispersed Pt3Co alloy nanoparticles were fabricated on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) in a few minutes under microwave irradiation. Characterization results confirmed that microwave irradiation was important for higher metal utilization, the easy control of alloy composition, improved dispersion of the Pt3Co particles and minimizing the re-graphitization of the parent RGO by comparison with conventional solvent-thermal and impregnation methods. This Pt3Co/RGO-MW catalyst was extremely active and selective during the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to cinnamyl alcohol. The calculated specific activity of each Pt atom in the Pt3Co/RGO-MW at 70 °C was 23.8 min−1.

Graphical AbstractA microwave irradiation-prepared nanosized Pt3Co alloy was supported on reduced graphene oxides and the synthesized Pt3Co/RGO-MW was used for the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to cinnamyl alcohol.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide