Understanding the role of the acid sites in 5 hydroxymethymethylfurfural oxidation to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid reaction over gold catalysts: surface investigation on CexZr1-xO2 compounds

Dra. Anna Dimitrova Penkova

A series of Ce_xZr_1–xO₂ supports with different Ce/Zr molar ratios were utilized for the preparation of gold catalyst used in the selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid. The used method of gold deposition allows the preparation of gold particles with homogeneous size and shape distribution, a formulation very useful for studies dedicated to revealing the support participation in the reaction. The supports are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy using CO as probe molecule, and the sample catalytic activity is thereafter correlated to the support acid site distribution. The possible participation of its Lewis/Brønsted acidity in the reaction mechanism is also proposed.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscatal.8b02522