Chemometric approaches on glycerol oxidation with H2O2 over supported gold nanoparticles

Abstract

This paper reports a chemometric study of effects of the catalyst preparation method and reaction con- ditions on the efficiency of glycerol oxidation catalyzed by gold nanoparticles supported on activated carbon using H 2 O 2 as oxidant. Factorial designs and principal component analysis were used for the evaluation of experimental conditions and reaction performance. Evaluating catalyst preparation condi- tions we found that larger Au nanoparticles are obtained using HAuCl 4 in higher concentration. Glycerol conversion and production of glycerate and tartronate were higher using catalysts prepared with low polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to Au ratio and low Au content. Higher HAuCl 4 concentrations resulted in larger Au nanoparticles, which contributed to higher glycolate production. Evaluating reaction conditions we found that the influence of H 2 O 2 to glycerol ratio was insignificant. Glycerol conversion and production of glycerate and tartronate were higher at lower temperature. Increasing H 2 O 2 to glycerol ratio contributed to higher glycolate production. Glycerol to Au ratio has a smaller influence on the reaction course.