PdHx Entrapped in a Covalent Triazine Framework Modulates Selectivity in Glycerol Oxidation

Pd nanoparticles within a nitrogen-containing covalent triazine framework (CTF) material are investigated to understand if the highly tunable CTF chemistry mediates the catalytic properties of the Pd nanoparticles. Surprisingly, our results demonstrate that the CTF stabilizes the formation of 2.6nm PdHx particles within the pores. These confined PdHx particles are very active for the liquid-phase oxidation of glycerol and promote CC cleavage, probably connected with the enhanced insitu formation of H2O2. During recycling tests, the confined particles are transformed progressively to very stable Pd-0 particles. This stability has been attributed mainly to a confinement effect as nanoparticles trapped outside the pores lose activity rapidly. These results indicate that there is a potential to tune CTF chemistry to modify the chemistry of the catalytic metals significantly.