Pt/CeO2@MOF Core@Shell Nanoreactor for Selective Hydrogenation of Furfural via the Channel Screening Effect

Designing metal–organic framework (MOF)-encapsulated hybrid catalysts is considered as an effective way to realize catalytic selectivity because of advantages related to the unique channels of MOF. Here, a sodium polystyrenesulfonate (PSS)-induced, microwave-assisted route was developed to controllably construct Pt/CeO2@MOF core@shell hybrids. Using PSS as a modifying agent and followed by microwave assistance, MOFs could be continuously grown in an oriented manner on Pt/CeO2 nanospheres. The obtained Pt-CeO2@UIO-66-NH2 exhibited high conversion (99.3%) with high selectivity (>99%) for selective hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol. It showed that the CeO2 would promote the catalytic activity, whereas the size confinement effect of the UIO-66-NH2 channels can enhance the catalytic selectivity. This work highlights a useful strategy toward the universal synthesis of highly active, stable, and selective catalysts for further utilization.