Monodisperse Ru Nanoparticles in [Bmin]BE4: Preparation and Application in Benzene Selective Hydrogenation

The monodisperse Ru nanoparticles were prepared by chemical reduction method in 1-butyl-3-methyl limidizaolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMim]BF4). The prepared Ru nanoparticles were characterized by XRD as hexagonal close packed structure and no diffraction peak from oxidation products. TEM analysis of these nanoparticles shows that the monodisperse Ru nanoparticles prepared by positive dripping method disperse in the ionic liquids with diameter less than 5 rim. The Ru nanoparticles prepared by reverse dripping method agglomerate with diameter more than 10 nm. FTIR results indicate that a physically absorbed layer of ionic liquid is evident on the surface of Ru nanoparticles. TG results indicate that the ionic liquid serves not only as a protective agent or stabilizing agent to inhibit the aggregation of Ru nanoparticles, but also a modification agent adsorbed on the Ru nanoparticles. Results of benzene selective hydrogenation show that benzene conversion is relatively high in the reaction system with water, however the selectivity of cyclohexene is low, only 14.5% at 27.3% benzene conversion in the same system.