X‐ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Bimetallic Pt–Re Catalysts for Hydrogenolysis of Glycerol to Propanediols

Abstract

Abstract Bimetallic Pt–Re nanoparticles supported on Norit carbon were effective at converting aqueous glycerol to 1,3 (34 %) and 1,2 (33 %) propanediol at 443 K under 4 MPa of H 2 . Results from X‐ray absorption spectroscopy and analytical transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the nanoparticles were indeed bimetallic, with a particle size less than 2 nm in diameter. The Pt L III near edge spectra indicated that the Pt was reduced to the metallic state by treatment in H 2 at 473 K, but that a partial positive charge remained on the Re. These oxidized Re species could be associated with charged Re atoms dispersed on the carbon support because spillover of H atoms from Pt was required to reduce Re in the bimetallic particles.