As part of a thesis under joint supervision with Pr. Philippe Serp, we developed the functionalization of MWCNTs (by imidazolium groups) to support catalytic phases in an ionic liquid (SILP approach) and these systems have been applied in the sequential process coupling / hydrogenation and exhibit high activity and possible recyclable (Dalton Trans. 2010, 39, 7565 ; ChemCatChem 2011, 3, 749).
Systems with immobilization of ruthenium nanoparticles on functionalized MWCNTs (with carboxylic acid) were applied in the hydrogenation process (J. Mol. Catal. A: Chem. 2010, 332, 106). The confinment of Pt and Ru bimetallic nanoparticles in MWCNTs functionalized (with long alkyl chains) was performed (ChemCatChem 2012, 4, 118) and such systems are more efficient, in terms of selectivity, that unsupported MNPs.