Metal Nanoparticles/Ionic Liquid/Cellulose: Polymeric Membrane for Hydrogenation Reactions

Abstract

Rhodium and platinum nanoparticles were supported in polymeric membranes with 10, 20 and 40 μm thickness. The polymeric membranes were prepared combining cellulose acetate and the ionic liquid (IL) 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (BMI.(NTf)2. The presence of metal nanoparticles induced an increase in the polymeric membrane surface areas. The increase of the IL content resulted in an improvement of elasticity and decrease in tenacity and toughness, whereas the stress at break was not affected. The presence of IL probably causes an increase in the separation between the cellulose molecules that result in a higher flexibility and processability of the polymeric membrane. The CA/IL/M(0) combinations exhibit an excellent synergistic effect that enhances the activity and durability of the catalyst for the hydrogenation of cyclohexene. The CA/IL/M(0) polymeric membrane displays higher catalytic activity (up to 7.353 h–1) for the 20 mm of CA/IL/Pt(0) and stability than the nanoparticles dispersed only in the IL.