Propylene Hydrogenation over Cubic Pt Nanoparticles Deposited on Alumina

Pt nanoparticles loaded on alumina through an impregnation at room temperature was prepared using $K_2PtCl_4$ and acrylic acid as capping material. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the deposited Pt particles indicate ca. 80% cubic shapes with a narrow distribution of 8-10 nm in size. Propylene hydrogenation over the catalyst has been carried out to evaluate their catalytic performance by the values of activation energy. It is determined from the initial rate, reaction order, and rate constant and is found to be $9.7{\pm}0.5$ kcal/mol. This value has been discussed by comparing to those of encapsulated- and truncated octahedral Pt nanoparticles deposited on alumina, respectively, to study influence of the particle size and shape, and capping material used on the activation energy.