Flame spray-synthesized Pt-Co/TiO2 catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol

Abstract

Flame spray-synthesized Pt/TiO2 and PtCo/TiO2 catalysts with 0.7 wt% Pt and 0–0.4 wt% Co were studied in the hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol (FA) at 50 °C and 2 MPa H2. Particle formation under high temperature flame facilitated high Pt dispersion and formation of Pt-TiOx interface sites, which were beneficial for furfural conversion to FA. Modifying with Co accelerated rutile phase TiO2 formation, which strongly diminished hydrogenation activity on the (FSP)-PtCo/TiO2. On the other hand, (I)-PtCo/TiO2 prepared by conventional impregnation, anatase phase TiO2 was preserved (> 85%) and both furfural conversion and FA selectivity increased upon increasing Co loading.