Abstract: Pt/CNT (carbon nanotube) catalysts were prepared by the ethylene glycol reduction method through chemical modification and physical modification of CNT. The catalytic performance of the Pt/CNT for hydrogenation of o-chloronitrobenzene was tested. An acid mixture of H₂SO₄-HNO₃ was used for chemical modification and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used for physical modification. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, H₂-temperature programmed desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Both chemical modification and physical modification of CNT can result in functional groups that are beneficial to the dispersion and the nucleation of Pt particles, leading to improved catalytic performance of the catalyst. In the case of SDS modification, SDS formed micellar structure first, in which the nucleation and growth of Pt particles took place, leading to the formation of Pt particles with controllable morphology.

Key words: carbon nanotube, platinum, surface modification, o-chloronitrobenzene, selective hydrogenation, o-chloroaniline