Efficient preparation of nanocatalysts. Case study: green synthesis of supported Pt nanoparticles by using microemulsions and mangosteen peel extract

Greener nanocatalyst synthesis is growing in importance, especially when using scarce noble metals such as platinum (Pt) as the active metal. In the synthesis process presented herein, we utilized extract of mangosteen peel as a green reductant and found that it produces Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with high activity. The supported Pt NPs were synthesized via thermos-destabilization of a mangosteen extract microemulsion and subsequently tested with α-methyl styrene (AMS) hydrogenation at SATP. Additionally, we optimized the green synthesis of the supported Pt nanocatalyst (NPs) in terms of their synthesis yield and catalytic activity using the approaches of full factorial design (FFD), central composite design (CCD), and response surface methodology (RSM). In comparing the results of single and multiple optimization, it was found that for the single optimization, the synthesis yield of supported Pt NPs could be increased from their average value of 78.9% to 99.75%, and their activity from 2136 to 15 600 μmol s(−1) g(Pt)(−1). The results of multiple response optimization to the yield and activity are 81.71% and 8255 μmol s(−1) g(Pt)(−1), respectively. The optimization approach presented in this study is suitable for similar catalyst synthesis procedures where multivariate responses are sensitive to a number of experimental factors.