Pd, Pt, and Pt–Cu Catalysts Supported on Carbon Nanotube (CNT) for the Selective Oxidation of Glycerol in Alkaline and Base-Free Conditions

The liquid-phase oxidation of glycerol was studied to obtain value-added oxidation products such as dihydroxyacetone or glyceric acid. The effect of the reaction conditions was studied for carbon nanotube supported Pd and Pt catalysts. Under strongly alkaline conditions, conversions close to 90% were reached after 5 h of reaction, with selectivities to glyceric acid of approximately 60–70%. Carbon nanotube supported bimetallic Pt–Cu catalysts were prepared and tested in the reaction under base-free conditions, where, besides glyceric acid, there was the formation of dihydroxyacetone and glyceraldehyde. Bimetallic Pt–Cu/CNT was found to be more effective than monometallic Pt/CNT toward the selective glycerol oxidation.