Cu-Ga2O3 nanoparticles supported on ordered mesoporous silica for the catalytic hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde

Herein, we show that gallium oxide can function as an efficient promoter for the Cu-catalysed hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde. SBA-15-supported Cu-Ga2O3 nanoparticles with a constant Cu loading of 5 wt% and two Cu/Ga weight ratios of 5 and 2, respectively, were synthesised by incipient wetness impregnation followed by mild drying. Physico-chemical characterisation revealed that the metal dispersion, and thus the active surface area of copper, can be enhanced nine-fold upon the addition of gallium promoter, boosting the catalytic activity as compared with the unpromoted Cu/SBA-15 catalyst. Likewise, the presence of Ga2O3 improved the selectivity to cinnamyl alcohol.