Preparation of CNF-supported Pt catalysts for hydrogen evolution from decalin

A HCHO reduction method was used to prepare Pt/CNF catalysts for decalin dehydrogenation to produce pure hydrogen. The effects of pH adjustment, Pt loading and especially reduction temperature were discussed based on zeta potential and metal particle size measurement and XPS and TPR characterization. It was shown that the efficiency of Pt loading was significantly enhanced by adjusting the pH and the activity of the Pt/CNF catalyst was consequently improved. Higher Pt loading did not lead to better catalyst activity because of the growth of Pt particles. Increasing the reduction temperature promoted the reduction of Pt species but not changed the particle size. Complete reduction of the Pt catalyst was preferred to increase the catalyst activity. Excellent activity and selectivity were observed for the catalyst reduced at 80 °C with a real Pt loading of 5.40 wt.%, yielding 729.9 mol H2/mol Pt in 2 h.