Synthesis of Pt supported on mesoporous g-C₃N₄ modified by ammonium chloride and its efficiently selective hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol

Here, we tune the surface area and the anchoring environment of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) by adjusting the mass of ammonium chloride to obtain different mesoporous g-C₃N₄ supports (m-CN-x). Then Pt nanoparticles (NPs) supported on different m-CN-x (Pt/m-CN-x) have been prepared by a facile and eco-friendly ultrasonic impregnation assisted ethylene glycol reduction method, and applied for selective hydrogenation of furfural (FAL) to furfuryl alcohol (FOL). The Pt/m-CN-2 catalyst shows the best catalytic performance with 99.3% selectivity to FOL and 98.5% conversion of FAL, moreover can be recycled for five times without significant deactivation. The enhanced catalytic activity can be attributed to the fact that the m-CN-2 support has more suitable distribution of surface nitrogen species and anchoring environment for the nucleation and dispersion of Pt NPs, leading to the formation of small Pt NPs size (2.1 nm) and high content of electron-rich active Pt⁰ species (92.6%) on the surface of the Pt/m-CN-2 catalyst. Furthermore, the effects of different N species of m-CN-x on the anchoring of Pt NPs and formation of the Pt⁰ species were also investigated in detail. Our work provides a new idea for the regulation of graphitic phase carbon nitride supported Pt NPs catalysts.