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In Situ Generation of Cu0 Supported on TiO2 Aerogel as a Catalyst for the Vapour Phase Hydrogenation of Nitrobenzene to Aniline

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Abstract

This study is first to demonstrate a new strategy to synthesize Cu nanoparticles (NPs) supported on TiO2 (Cu@TiO2) catalyst towards the vapor phase hydrogenation of nitrobenzene. The experimental design involved the four different loadings (10, 15, 20 and 30 wt%) of Cu NPs onto the TiO2 aerogel to produce a complex with high surface area and increased pore volume. The developed catalysts were characterized using N2 physisorption analysis, powder-XRD studies, H2-temperature programmed reduction, field emission scanning electron microscopy–EDAX, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The characterisation results specified that the surface area, mesoporosity, the effective dispersion of Cu nanoparticles onto the TiO2 support exerted a significant influence on their catalytic activities. Further, it was found that the resulted process led to the complete in situ reduction of Cu2+ to Cu0, and fine dispersion of Cu0 NPs on the surface of TiO2. Thus, no further pre-reduction of the catalyst was required. The optimized 20 wt% Cu@TiO2 catalyst achieved about 94% nitrobenzene conversion with maximum aniline selectivity (> 98%), with enhanced stability where the catalyst was found to be active up to 15 h of continuous catalytic reactions. From the study, it is found that this approach is promising and provides insights into the fundamental understanding on the importance of aerogel materials as versatile catalysts.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank SERB, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, for financial support through the Young Scientist Start up Grant SB/FT/CS-044/2014 and Nano mission, SR/NM/NS-20/2014. The authors would also like to acknowledge Prof. Geetha R. Balakrishna, Director, CNMS, Jain University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India and the Head of the Department, C&FC division, CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad, India for their support for this research work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Nano & Material Science, Jain University, Jain Global Campus, Bangalore, 562112, India

    Itika Kainthla, Jayesh T. Bhanushali, Rangappa S. Keri, Arvind H. Jadhav & Bhari Mallanna Nagaraja

  2. Catalysis & Fine Chemicals Division, CSIR – Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, 500007, India

    Venkata Ramesh Babu Gurram & Seetha Rama Rao Kamaraju

  3. Department of Physics, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India

    Suresh W. Gosavi

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  1. Itika Kainthla
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  2. Venkata Ramesh Babu Gurram
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  3. Jayesh T. Bhanushali
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  4. Seetha Rama Rao Kamaraju
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  5. Rangappa S. Keri
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Correspondence to Arvind H. Jadhav or Bhari Mallanna Nagaraja.

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Kainthla, I., Gurram, V.R.B., Bhanushali, J.T. et al. In Situ Generation of Cu0 Supported on TiO2 Aerogel as a Catalyst for the Vapour Phase Hydrogenation of Nitrobenzene to Aniline. Catal Lett 148, 2891–2900 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10562-018-2481-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10562-018-2481-6

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