A Highly Active Cu–Pt/SiO2 Bimetal for the Hydrogenolysis of Glycerol to 1,2-Propanediol

Abstract A series of bimetallic Cu samples (Cu–Pt/SiO 2 , Cu–Pd/SiO 2 , Cu–Ag/SiO 2 , Cu–Ni/SiO 2 ) were prepared by wetness impregnation method, then investigated for hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO). We furthered the study and found that Cu–Pt/SiO 2 got the smallest particle size and greatest dispersion. Besides, it was found that Pt promoted reduction of Cu 2+ . Compared with other Cu–Pt molar ratio, Cu–Pt/SiO 2 (1:0.2) was the preferable catalyst for hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-PDO. It is worth noting that Cu–Pt/SiO 2 presented the highest activity with a 96 % selectivity to 1,2-PDO and a nearly 100 % conversion of glycerol at 473 K, 40 bar initial H 2 pressure, 12 h, which is much higher activity than monometallic Cu/SiO 2 , Pt/SiO 2 and other bimetallic Cu samples. Meanwhile, the used Cu–Pt/SiO 2 catalyst still preformed high activity. Furthermore, it was found that the presence of Pt decreased the aggregation of particles during the hydrogenolysis of glycerol. Graphical Abstract