Cordierite honeycomb ceramic (CHC) was modified by high-temperature calcination and hydrofluoric acid instantaneous etching. The framework microstructures and pore surface morphologies before and after treatment were characterized using SEM

XRD and TEM. The effect of ceramic structure on mechanical strength

morphology of carbon nanotubes

and property of complex carrier were studied. Catalytic performance of Pd/CNTs@CHC-HFn and amount of catalyst on degree of polystyrene hydrogenation were evaluated. High-temperature calcination eliminated internal pores of ceramic framework and ceramic surface became flat and dense. Instantaneous etching increased surface roughness and facilitated CNT growth on the surface. However

increase of etching cycles reduced mechanical strength of carriers as a result of over-etching into framework and CNT growth inside framework pores. CNTs growing on modified CHC-HFn surface significantly improved homogeneous dispersion of palladium and subsequently enhanced hydrogenation performance. The average particle size of palladium was 3.6 nm in the complex catalyst. At catalyst amount of 3.0 g cat·(g PS)-1

which contained 0.378 g CNTs and 0.054 g Pd

the degree of hydrogenation for polystyrene to poly(vinylcyclohexane) reached up to 100% in 6 h reaction time.