Titanate Nanotube-Supported Au–Rh Bimetallic Catalysts: Characterization and Their Catalytic Performances in Hydroformylation of Vinyl Acetate

Synthesis and characterization of highly dispersed bimetallic Au-Rh nanoparticles supported on titanate nanotubes for CO oxidation reaction at low temperature

Low-temperature CO oxidation was carried out by using rhodium incorporated into titanate nanotubes (Rh/NTs) prepared by the sol-gel and hydrothermal methods; otherwise, gold nanoparticles were deposited homogeneously onto the Rh/NT surface through the deposition-precipitation with urea (DPU) method. The Au-Rh/NT sample exhibited high metal dispersion (55%), outstanding CO oxidation at low temperature, and better resistance to deactivation than the monometallic Rh/NT and Au/NT samples. The characterization of bimetallic samples, with particle sizes from 1 to 3 nm, revealed the remarkable presence of interacting Au and Rh species in metallic state. In this way, Au⁰ and Rh⁰ were answerable for the higher catalytic activity observed in the bimetallic samples. The interaction between Au and Rh in the nanoparticles of Au-Rh/NT promoted a synergistic effect on the CO oxidation reaction, explained by the creation of new CO adsorption sites.

Preparation and Characterization of Rh/MgSNTs Catalyst for Hydroformylation of Vinyl Acetate: The Rh0 was Obtained by Calcination

A simple and practical Rh-catalyzed hydroformylation of vinyl acetate has been synthesized via impregnation-calcination method using silicate nanotubes (MgSNTs) as the supporter. The Rh0 (zero valent state of rhodium) was obtained by calcination. The influence of calcination temperature on catalytic performance of the catalysts was investigated in detail. The catalysts were characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), atomic emission spectrometer (ICP), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface-area analyzers. The Rh/MgSNTs(a2) catalyst shows excellent catalytic activity, selectivity and superior cyclicity. The catalyst could be easily recovered by phase separation and was used up to four times.

Alkali and Alkaline Earth Cation-Decorated TiO2 Nanotube-Supported Rh Catalysts for Vinyl Acetate Hydroformylation

Alkali and alkaline earth cation-decorated TiO2 nanotube (TNT)-supported rhodium catalysts were synthesized and characterized by inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer, surface characterization analyzer, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transforming infrared spectrum, respectively. Their catalytic performances were evaluated by the hydroformylation of vinyl acetate. Results showed that both the conversion rate of vinyl acetate and selectivity for aldehyde were improved after Rh/TNTs were modified by alkali or alkali-earth cations. Such improved selectivity for aldehyde might be attributed to the presence of alkali or alkaline earth cations which enhanced CO adsorption, while the high conversion rate of vinyl acetate was likely due to the proper interaction of Lewis acid–base between cations modified TNTs and vinyl acetate.