Development of Highly Efficient, Glassy Carbon Foam Supported, Palladium Catalysts for Hydrogenation of Nitrobenzene

Glassy carbon foam (GCF) catalyst supports were synthesized from waste polyurethane elastomers by impregnating them in sucrose solution followed pyrolysis and activation (AC) using N2 CO2 gas. The palladium nanoparticles formed Pd(NO3)2. are highly dispersive because the mean diameters 8.0 ± 4.3 (Pd/GCF), 7.6 4.2 (Pd/GCF-AC1) 4.4 1.6 nm (Pd/GCF-AC2). Oxidative post-treatment of resulted formation hydroxyl groups on GCF surfaces, leading to a decrease zeta potential. decreased potential increased wettability supports. This, interactions between –OH Pd ions, particle size palladium. catalysts tested hydrogenation nitrobenzene. non-treated, glassy-carbon-supported (Pd/GCF) 99.2% aniline yield at 293 K 50 bar hydrogen pressure, but reaction was slightly slower than other catalysts. post-treated (activated) showed higher catalytic activity rate higher. maximum attained selectivities 99.0% 98.0% (Pd/GCF-AC2) 323 K.