Synthesis method of hydrophobic catalysts for the hydrogen activation with a controlled platinum distribution

•Hydrophobization is necessary to improve catalytic activity.•It is important to protect the catalyst outer surface for isotopic exchange.•Microscopic and isotope analysis to assess the hydrophobicity of catalyst granules.•The addition of acids to the mother liquor destroys the hydrophobic coating.•There is a critical level of silicon at which the surface becomes non-hydrophobic. Various methods for the synthesis of hydrophobic catalysts with a controlled platinum distribution by adding reagents (hydrochloric or oxalic acid) to the mother liquor at the stage of their preparation have been investigated. Comparison of data on microscopy and isotopic analysis of samples surface slice made it possible to obtain a quantitative assessment of the catalyst granules hydrophobicity. The study of the catalytic properties has shown the importance of hydrophobization of the catalyst granule outer surface. The presence of a hydrophilic surface inside the catalyst granule can increase its catalytic activity.