Synthesis of γ-Al2O3–supported Pt nanoparticles using Al-based metal-organic framework as medium and their catalytic performance for total propene oxidation and selective nitrobenzene hydrogenation

Abstract The control of the shape and dispersibility of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) supported on Al2O3 is challenging. To address this issue, the use of metal-organic frameworks as a template for the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts is a promising methodology. Herein, we used an Al-based metal-organic framework as a medium to synthesize uniform Pt NPs supported on γ-Al2O3 (Pt@γ-Al2O3) in the absence of protective and capping agents and subjected these nanoparticles to instrumental analyses. Microscopic imaging indicated that nanoparticles had diameters of 2–5 nm (mean = 3.4 nm) and revealed the formation of Pt nanocubes on the alumina surface. Pt@γ-Al2O3 exhibited excellent catalytic activity for propene oxidation and displayed long-term stability, with the corresponding activation energy determined as 63.9 kJ mol−1. Moreover, Pt@γ-Al2O3 also effectively catalyzed the gas-phase hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to aniline at 100 °C, achieving a turnover frequency of 565 h−1 and a selectivity of >90%. Thus, the obtained results contribute to the further development of supported heterogeneous catalysts from metal-organic frameworks as precursors and media.