Platinum nanoparticles supported on zeolite MWW nanosheets prepared via homogeneous solution route

This article demonstrates preparation of metal functionalized zeolite catalysts via a new homogeneous solution pathway enabled by the recently reported exfoliation of zeolite MWW into solution of unilamellar nanosheets. The preparation is carried out by mixing solutions of exfoliated MWW monolayers and Pt nanoparticles with initial size of ca 3 nm and isolation of such hybrid catalysts by freeze-drying. Optionally, the MWW layer solutions were purified by dialysis prior to mixing with the metal solution, which turned out to be beneficial for quality and textural characteristics. However, catalytic performance in the model reaction – 3-nitrotoluene hydrogenation, was mostly determined by the Pt level, i.e. at least 0.3%, and less affected by the apparent quality of the final zeolite support. The catalysts revealed agglomeration of the Pt nanoparticles from roughly 3 nm to between 5 and 10 nm.