Doping carbon networks with phosphorus for supporting Pd in catalyzing selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol

A new kind of phosphorus-doped porous carbon framework (P-PCF) was synthesized using a simple and low-cost method and was used as a support material for loading Pd nanoparticles with an average diameter of 5~7 nm (Pd/P-PCF) for benzyl alcohol oxidation. Enhanced activity, selectivity, and stability were achieved over Pd/P-PCF in comparison to the undoped counterpart catalyst (Pd/PCF). Surface analysis of the fresh and reacted catalysts revealed that the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol is favored using the Pd/P-PCF catalyst because of the modified electronic properties of Pd nanoparticles, the metal-support interactions, as well as the hydrophobic and basic surface properties of the catalyst, which originates from the phosphorus doping.