Precise regulation of Mo₂N–TiO₂ deposited Pt nanoparticles induced synergistic effect for the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde

The amalgamation of an appropriate cocatalyst is a proficient technique to expand the efficacy of precious Pt-based catalytic materials. In this study, Mo₂N–TiO₂ with regularly distributed Mo₂N particles were simply prepared for the deposition of precious Pt nanoparticles (NPs). Numerous techniques were implemented to thoroughly explore, how synthesis method influence the bulk structural, interfacial and cata1ytic features of the as-prepared 3 wt%Pt/TiO₂ and 3 wt%Pt/Mo₂N–TiO₂ catalytic materials. The catalytic results obviously show that the 3 wt%Pt/Mo₂N–TiO₂ catalyst has exceptional hydrogenation performance when compared to 3 wt%Pt/TiO₂ catalyst. The 3 wt%Pt/Mo₂N–TiO₂ catalyst displayed high conversion (72.4 %) of cinnamaldehyde (CAL) with a maximum selectivity (82.1 %) towards C[dbnd]O bond. The excellent hydrogenation performance is attributed to the synergistic interaction taking place between Pt NPs and Mo₂N entities of 3 wt%Pt/Mo₂N–TiO₂. Also, the enhanced standardized dispersal of Pt NPs on the Mo₂N–TiO₂ surface causes more exposed Pt⁰ sites on the 3 wt%Pt/Mo₂N–TiO₂ surface, which is productive for the improved activation and conversion of C[dbnd]O bond of CAL to yield COL. In addition, the 3 wt%Pt/Mo₂N–TiO₂ catalyst retained its higher catalytic activity for consecutive five successive rounds without substantial loss in either conversion or selectivity.