Solid Nanoparticles that Catalyze Biofuel Upgrade Reactions at the Water/Oil Interface

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 327; no. 5961; pp. 68 - 72
• Main Authors: Crossley, Steven, Faria, Jimmy, Shen, Min, Resasco, Daniel E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Association for the Advancement of Science 2010; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Alcohols; Aldehydes; Aldehydes - chemistry; Benzaldehydes - chemistry; Biodiesel fuels; Biofuels; Biomass; Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemical reactions; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Condensation; Emulsions; Emulsions. Microemulsions. Foams; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Glutaral - chemistry; Hydrogen - chemistry; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Magnesium Oxide; Metal Nanoparticles; Molecules; Nanoparticles; Nanotubes; Nanotubes, Carbon; Oils - chemistry; Palladium; Phenols - chemistry; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Silicon Dioxide; Solubility; Temperature; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Thermodynamics; Water - chemistry; Water oil emulsion; Nanoparticle; Stabilization; Carbon nanotubes; Biofuel; Biomass; Condensation; Hydrogenation; Silica; Supported catalyst; Solid; Characterization; Liquid liquid interface; Platinoid; Catalytic reaction; Purification; Magnesium oxide; Transition metal; Palladium; Aldehyde; Ketone; Heterogeneous catalysis; Singlewalled nanotube; Biphasic system; Refining; Acetone
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1180769

A recoverable catalyst that simultaneously stabilizes emulsions would be highly advantageous in streamlining processes such as biomass refining, in which the immiscibility and thermal instability of crude products greatly complicates purification procedures. Here, we report a family of solid catalysts that can stabilize water-oil emulsions and catalyze reactions at the liquid/liquid interface. By depositing palladium onto carbon nanotube-inorganic oxide hybrid nanoparticles, we demonstrate biphasic hydrodeoxygenation and condensation catalysis in three substrate classes of interest in biomass refining. Microscopic characterization of the emulsions supports localization of the hybrid particles at the interface.