Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene over SBA‐15 Supported Au—Cu Bimetallic Catalysts

Abstract

Abstract Copper has been reported to be active in selective hydrogenation of acetylene but very selective to oligomers instead of ethylene. In this work, SBA‐15 supported Cu‐Au bimetallic nanoparticles are studied under different Cu/Au ratios and temperature. The addition of gold promotes the catalytic performance, reducing the amount of oligomers formed on the catalyst's surface. A synergistic effect between copper and gold is also displayed. The bimetallic catalyst with Cu/Au ratio at 1/3 has both better conversion and selectivity between 160‐200 °C, providing the opportunities to lower the operating temperature (>200 °C) of copper. The synergy can be ascribed to the compromise of two factors: the electronic effect and the sintering resistance of bimetallic nanoparticles. Gold makes copper more electron‐deficient, therefore, enhances the conversion. Besides, the particles remain highly dispersed and small (ca. 3 nm) when large amount of gold reduces the ensemble size of copper on the surface, minimizing C‐C coupling reactions.