A novel highly efficient bimetallic nanocatalysts (RhPtx/MWCNTs) for catalytic hydrogenation of K-Resin

Bimetallic catalysts have emerged as promising materials due to their versatile applications in energy conversion, catalysis, sensing, and biomedical fields. In this study, a series of Rh Pt bimetallic nanocatalysts supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (RhPt x /MWCNTs) were synthesized for the efficient hydrogenation of K-Resin. Catalysts with varying Rh-to-Pt molar ratios (1:1 to 1:5) exhibited superior catalytic activity compared to their monometallic counterparts. Structural and surface analyses using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the formation of a face-centred cubic structure and demonstrated electronic interactions between Rh and Pt through binding energy shifts. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed well-dispersed RhPtx nanoparticles anchored on the MWCNTs. The catalysts also exhibited mesoporous characteristics and excellent thermal stability. Hydrogenation performance tests revealed that RhPtx/MWCNTs provided high conversion efficiency, stability, and recyclability. The enhanced activity is attributed to improved active site accessibility and reduced diffusion limitations enabled by the porous bimetallic structure. Complete hydrogenation of K-Resin was verified by 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the hydrogenated product (HK-Resin) possesses greater thermal stability than the original K-Resin. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated a crystallization enthalpy (ΔHc) of −10.82  J /g, a melting enthalpy (ΔHm) of 7.1  J /g, and a crystallinity of 2.42 %, confirming the improved thermal properties of HK-Resin.