Catalytic activity of immobilized Ru nanoparticles in a porous metal-organic framework using supercritical fluid

A Zr-based metal-organic framework (Zr-MOP) with both micropores and mesopores was prepared by the reaction of 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2BDC) and ZrOCl2 center dot 8H(2)O with the aid of a citric acid (CA) chelating agent and a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant. This was followed by formation of a Ru@Zr-MOF catalyst from RuCl3 center dot 3H(2)O in a supercritical CO2-methanol solution. The catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, power X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, N-2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. Ru particles with an average diameter of 2.3 nm were uniformly supported in the Zr-MOF. The catalytic performance of Ru@Zr-MOF for the hydrogenation of benzene and its derivatives was investigated and was found to be active and stable. (C) 2013, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.