Most
of the catalytic hydrogenation reactions take place under
high temperature, high pressure, and high corrosion, which poses a
challenge to the activity and stability of hydrogenation catalysts.
Herein, an acid resistant and strawberry-like metal–carbon
sphere (M/SCS) as a robust hydrogenation catalyst was synthesized
by a one-step method. Self-assembled metal nanoparticles gather and
are embedded on the surface of the carbon sphere prepared by the carbonization
of phenolic resin. By means of the surrounding carbon layer, the acid
resistant capability is orders of magnitude intensified compared to
traditional commercial catalysts. Over 91.5% and 100% metals of Pd/SCS7
and Pt/SCS7 remain as the catalyst in hydrochloric acid (36–38
wt %), while less than 44.6% and 37.5% metals remain of commercial
Pd/AC and Pt/AC. In addition, the sizes are controlled in the range
of 11 to 18 nm for metal particles and 400 to 1600 nm for carbon spheres
by adjusting the conditions of phenolic aldehyde condensation. N atoms
anchored on the carbon spheres with high dispersion can improve electron
density on metal particles. M/SCS exhibits both excellent stability
and high catalytic performance in the hydrogenation reactions.