Application of supported Cu–Ru catalysts for the removal of trace olefins in aromatics

Abstract Exploring reliable hydrogenation catalysts to remove trace olefins in aromatic hydrocarbons through hydrogenation is an important topic. In this paper, a bimetallic Cu–Ru/montmorillonite (Cu–Ru/M) catalyst was prepared using a step-by-step impregnation method, and the effects of bimetallic catalysts on removing olefins were assessed. The catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and temperature-programmed reduction of H2. The results show that there is a strong interaction between Cu and Ru on the Cu–Ru/M catalyst, which improves the dispersion of the metals on the surface of the support M. The hydrogen spillover phenomenon of Cu–Ru/M enhances its activity and adsorption capacity for hydrogen species. The catalytic performance test confirmed that the bimetallic catalyst has significantly greater activity and stability. The optimal loadings are 5% copper and 1% ruthenium, and the performance of this catalyst is comparable to those of noble-metal Pt/M catalysts.