Carbon nanotube networks hydrogen bond acidic

Palladium metal particles with an average diameter of ca. 5 nm were homogeneously dispersed inside carbon nanotubes. Such nanostructured material was an extremely active and selective catalyst for the hydrogenation of the C=C bond of cinnamaldehyde. The high external surfece area of the carbon nanotubes could explain the high reactivity of the catalyst despite its relatively low specific surfece area, i.e. 20 m. g". On the other hand, the high selectivity towards the C=C bond hydrogenation was attributed to the absence of a microporous network and of residual acidic sites in the carbon nanotube catalyst as compared to a commercial activated charcoal. 

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