Preparation and characterization of electrospun poly(p-phenylene oxide) membranes

Nanofibrous membranes were prepared from the poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) solution by electrospinning technique. PPO membranes with the mean fiber diameter of 150 nm exhibited high porosity (80%) and suitable transport properties. Four nanofiber catalysts with different platinum contents ranging from 1.4 to 2.7 wt.% were prepared by the membrane wet impregnation with the solution of platinum(II) acetylacetonate and subsequent activation by calcination in air at 175 °C. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and chemical analysis (ICP-MS). The catalytic activity of Pt nanoparticles supported on electrospun membranes was tested in total oxidation of ethanol in air as a model reaction. The catalysts with platinum loading from 1.4 to 2.7 wt.% achieved 50% conversion of ethanol between 163 and 202 °C.