Flame spray-synthesized Pt-Co/TiO2 catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol

International audienceFlame spray-synthesized Pt/TiO 2 and PtCo/TiO 2 catalysts with 0.7 wt% Pt and 0-0.4 wt% Co were studied in the hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol (FA) at 50 • C and 2 MPa H 2. Particle formation under high temperature flame facilitated high Pt dispersion and formation of Pt-TiO x interface sites, which were beneficial for furfural conversion to FA. Modifying with Co accelerated rutile phase TiO 2 formation, which strongly diminished hydrogenation activity on the (FSP)-PtCo/TiO 2. On the other hand, (I)-PtCo/TiO 2 prepared by conventional impregnation, anatase phase TiO 2 was preserved (> 85%) and both furfural conversion and FA selectivity increased upon increasing Co loading