Tuning the catalytic performance of Pt/SiO2 catalysts by CoOx modification for selective hydrogenations of unsaturated carbonyl compounds

Tailoring the interface between active metals and promoters to improve catalytic performance is a challenging issue for bicomponent catalysts. Herein, we developed a series of silica supported Pt-CoO x hybrid nanocatalysts though in situ oxidation of supported bimetallic PtCo nanoparticles (NPs) with different Pt/Co ratios. Focusing on the hydrogenation of acetophenone to 1-phenylethanol as the model reaction, the obtained Pt-CoO x /SiO 2 catalysts showed superior activity and selectivity compared to Pt/SiO 2 , and the sample with a Co/Pt molar ratio of 1/3 performed the best. Our research showed that the CoO x on Pt not only changed its electronic and geometric properties, but also promoted the adsorption of reactants and the dissociation of H 2 . A further increase of the Co/Pt ratio to 1/1, however, reduced the activity due to blockage of the Pt surface.