Dynamic Behavior of Metal Nanoparticles in Pd/C and Pt/C Catalytic Systems under Microwave and Conventional Heating

Metal on carbon catalysts (M/C) are ubiquitously used in modern research and industry to carry out a variety of chemical transformations. Stable metal–support frameworks and inertness of the carbon materials are usually taken for granted in these very useful catalytic systems. Initially, the present study was aimed to increase the efficiency of Pd/C and Pt/C catalytic systems under microwave and conventional heating. Interestingly, a dynamic behavior of the metal nanoparticles was revealed, and a series of carbon support transformations occurred during the thermal treatments of the catalysts. Microwave and thermal heating of the M/C catalysts resulted in substantial transformations of the carbon supports via the formation of pits, trenches, nanofibers, and nanowalls. Detailed studies with field-emission scanning electron microscopy were carried out involving statistical averaging over large surface areas. The effects of the dynamic behaviors of the supported metal particles on the catalytic activities of the synthetically useful Mizoroki–Heck and Suzuki–Miyaura reactions were demonstrated. Revealed dynamic behavior and modification of the carbon support due to microwave treatment were observed in a number of M/C systems (M = Pd, Pt, Ni, Co, Cu, Fe, and Au)