Hydrogenation of alkyl-anthraquinone over hydrophobically functionalized Pd/SBA-15 catalysts

Organosilane-functionalized mesoporous silica SBA-15 was prepared by the co-condensation method and then applied as a support of Pd catalysts for hydrogenation of 2-alkyl-anthraquinone (AQ, alkyl = ethyl, tert-butyl and amyl). The as-prepared Pd catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, N(2) adsorption–desorption, zeta potential, water contact angles measurement and transmission electron microscopy. By extending the pre-hydrolysis time of the silica source, the content of functional groups in the catalysts slightly increases. However, there is an initial increase in zeta potential and water contact angles up to a maximum at 2 h, followed by a decrease as the pre-hydrolysis time was further prolonged. The hydrophobicity created by organic functionalization has positive effects on AQ hydrogenation. The catalyst with the highest hydrophobicity exhibits the highest catalytic activity, with increments of 33.3%, 60.0% and 150.0% for hydrogenation of ethyl-, tert-butyl- and amyl-anthraquinone compared with the unfunctionalized one.