Gold supported on carbon nanotubes for the selective oxidation of glycerol

Gold nanoparticles were supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by different methods and tested in the selective oxidation of glycerol under basic conditions, with the main purpose of evaluating the effect of the preparation technique on the activity and selectivity. The catalytic performances largely depended on the gold crystallite size. The sol immobilization method was the most suitable technique to prepare gold supported on carbon nanotubes. The use of MWCNTs as support for Au nanoparticles resulted in the oxidation of the secondary hydroxyl group, and therefore, a remarkable high dihydroxyacetone selectivity of about 60% is obtained independently of the preparation method used. A possible explanation based on the peculiar characteristics of the support is proposed. It was also concluded that dihydroxyacetone in the final mixture can be stabilized by lowering the pH to about 3.