High performance Pt/Nb2W3O14 catalyst for glycerol valorization to 1,3-propanediol

Glycerol hydrogenolysis to 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) is of significance in promoting the biomass valorization. To achieve the efficient conversion, the selective activation of the secondary C–O bonds in the glycerol is vital. In this work, we comparatively investigated the catalytic performances of Pt/Nb2W3O14 catalyst for glycerol hydrogenolysis controlled at the reacting conditions of 140 °C and 40 bar. Compared to Pt/WO3 and Pt/NbOx, the space–time yield (STY) of 1,3-PDO over Pt/Nb2W3O14 catalyst can be improved by a factor of 13, reaching 596.4 mg gcat−1 h−1. The cation ordering of Nb and W on atomic-scale were fully synergized their unique advantages, showing preferential adsorption of the secondary C–O bond under in-situ DRIFTS tracking. The prepared Nb2W3O14 is a tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) type complex oxides which can effectively promote the dispersion and reduction of Pt nanoparticles. Such strong interaction between Nb2W3O14 and Pt can coordinate the precise adsorption and activation of the secondary C–O bond, simultaneously triggering subsequent hydrogenation. Pt/Nb2W3O14 affords an ultrahigh activity in glycerol hydrogenolysis to produce 1,3-PDO, tripling the record productivity that was previously reported of these Pt-W based catalysts. This study reported the development of highly synergistic catalyst based on efficient and selective activation of the secondary C–O bond, which can be extended to catalyst design for other biomass valorization.