Controlling the selectivity of bimetallic platinum–ruthenium nanoparticles supported on N-doped graphene by adjusting their metal composition

Abstract

Mono and bimetallic platinum–ruthenium nanoparticles have been generated on N-doped graphene (NH₂-rGO) following an organometallic approach. Surface and structural studies confirmed the formation of bimetallic MNPs with controlled metal compositions. To evaluate the activity/selectivity of the different materials prepared we used the hydrogenation of acetophenone as a model reaction. We found that both the activity and selectivity of the supported-bimetallic NPs are highly dependent on the support and the atomic composition. The higher the Pt/Ru ratio, the higher the selectivity towards 1-phenylethanol. Indeed, a remarkable activity and selectivity in the hydrogenation of acetophenone was observed for Pt₅Ru₁@NH₂-rGO. The reactivity of these catalysts was also investigated in the hydrogenation of other substrates such as functionalized arenes (i.e. nitrobenzene and benzaldehyde) or hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), demonstrating that it is possible to control the activity and selectivity of bimetallic Pt–Ru MNPs supported on N-doped graphene by adjusting their metal composition.