Cu-Ga2O3 nanoparticles supported on ordered mesoporous silica for the catalytic hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde.

Herein, we show that gallium oxide can function as an efficient promoter for the Cucatalysed hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde. SBA-15-supported Cu-Ga2O3 nanoparticles with a constant Cu loading of 5 wt% and two Cu/Ga weight ratios of 5 and 2, respectively, were synthesised by incipient wetness impregnation followed by mild drying. Physico-chemical characterisation revealed that the metal dispersion, and thus the active surface area of copper, can be enhanced nine-fold upon the addition of gallium promoter, boosting the catalytic activity as compared with the unpromoted Cu/SBA-15 catalyst. Likewise, the presence of Ga2O3 improved the selectivity to cinnamyl alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]