Ni/MWCNT-Supported Palladium Nanoparticles as Magnetic Catalysts for Selective Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol

Well dispersed Pd@Ni bimetallic nanoparticles on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Pd@Ni/MWCNT) are prepared and used as catalysts for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis, and X-ray diffraction were performed to characterise the synthesised catalyst. The results show a uniform dispersion of Pd@Ni nanoparticles on MWCNT with an average particle size of 4.0 nm. The as synthesised catalyst was applied to the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. A 99% conversion of benzyl alcohol and a 98% selectivity of benzaldehyde were achieved by using the Pd@Ni/MWCNT (Pd: 0.2 mmol) catalyst with water as a solvent and H2O2 as oxidant at 80 degrees C. The catalytic activity of Pd@Ni/MWCNT towards benzyl alcohol is higher than that of a Pd/MWCNT catalyst at the same Pd loadings. The catalyst can be easily separated due to its magnetic properties.