Electric field-enhanced hydrogenation catalysis: modified palladium-graphene oxide composites

Palladium-graphene oxide (Pd-GO) composites show promise as catalysts for alkene hydrogenation, but challenges such as metal particle agglomeration and limited conductivity hinder their widespread use. In this study, Pd-GO and polyvinylpyrrolidone-stabilized Pd-GO (Pd-PVP/GO) composites were synthesized and characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, and HRTEM. The incorporation of PVP as a stabilizing and capping agent was found to significantly improve the dispersion an reduce agglomeration of Pd nanoparticles in Pd-PVP/GO. Catalytic performance evaluation in the hydrogenation of 1-octene under an external electric field (EEF) revealed enhanced activity for both composites, with Pd-GO showing the highest conversion efficiency. Computational studies further confirmed that the improved reactivity of Pd-GO is attributed to its smaller band gap and favourable electron density distribution upon addition of Pd. The synergistic effect between Pd-GO and EEF highlights the potential of electric field-assisted catalysis in alkene hydrogenation. this work provides valuable insights into the development of high-performance, sustainable catalysts for industrial hydrogenation processes.