Discovering positively charged Pt for enhanced hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol

Atomically-dispersed Pt supported on WO x -modified tantalum oxide was developed as a highly active catalyst for selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol, with the productivity of 30.80 g g Pt −1 h −1 toward 1,3-propanediol. The WO x species pre-deposited on T -Ta 2 O 5 were found to assist the atomic dispersion of platinum. The WO x -stabilized Pt δ + species adsorb hydrogen easily and facilitate the hydrogen heterolytic dissociation, which significantly enhances the capability of in situ generated Brønsted acid sites and the hydrogenation activity. This provides a new strategy for developing bi-functional catalysts for a broad range of hydrogen and acid-involved reaction. WO x -stabilized Pt δ + species in atomic-level dispersion on tantalum oxide exhibiting a remarkable catalytic performance for glycerol hydrogenolysis to 1,3-PDO.