**4. Conclusions**

**4. Conclusions**  This work demonstrated that AuPd-based nanosystems could be efficiently and quantitatively incorporated in a polymeric fibrous network via electrospinning. The resulting membranes possessed significant activity, which was strongly correlated to: (i) the chemical nature of the used polymeric matrix and (ii) the method of active-phase introduction. In particular, glass transition temperature lower than reaction temperature and high hydrophilicity positively affected membrane activity. As far as the introduction of the active phase is concerned, the addition of unsupported NPs and TiO2 led to the production of the most active membrane. All electrospun materials showed high catalytic and structural stability and no leaching of active phase was observed during HMF oxidation in water. In conclusion, this work helped to gain fundamental knowledge on the features that play key roles in the utilization of heterogeneous catalysts supporting membranes for biomass oxidation in water, suggesting that current strategy could be a viable way for the future development of continuous This work demonstrated that AuPd-based nanosystems could be efficiently and quantitatively incorporated in a polymeric fibrous network via electrospinning. The resulting membranes possessed significant activity, which was strongly correlated to: (i) the chemical nature of the used polymeric matrix and (ii) the method of active-phase introduction. In particular, glass transition temperature lower than reaction temperature and high hydrophilicity positively affected membrane activity. As far as the introduction of the active phase is concerned, the addition of unsupported NPs and TiO<sup>2</sup> led to the production of the most active membrane. All electrospun materials showed high catalytic and structural stability and no leaching of active phase was observed during HMF oxidation in water. In conclusion, this work helped to gain fundamental knowledge on the features that play key roles in the utilization of heterogeneous catalysts supporting membranes for biomass oxidation in water, suggesting that current strategy could be a viable way for the future development of continuous processes based on this technology.

processes based on this technology. **Supplementary Materials:** The following are available online at www.mdpi.com/xxx/s1, Figure S1: DLS analyses of NPs suspensions; Figure S2: XRD analyses of dried NPs suspensions; Figure S3: Representative TEM images of Au/TiO2 supported on TiO2 and their size distribution histograms; Figure S4: Representative TEM images of AuPd/TiO2 supported on TiO2 and their size distribution histograms; Figure S5: TGA analyses of PANbased membranes; Figure S6: Effect of thermal treatments on PAN + AuPd/TiO2 membranes catalytic activity; Figure S7: Reaction temperature effect on the catalytic performance of PAN + AuPd/TiO2 sample; Figure S8: DSC analyses of PAN and Nylon; Figure S9: Effect of reaction temperature on NYL + AuPd/TiO2 membranes catalytic activity; Table S1: Amounts of polymer and inorganic fraction used to prepare the suspension in DMF and electrospinning processing conditions; Table S2: Amounts of polymer and inorganic fraction used to prepare **Supplementary Materials:** The following are available online at http://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/8/1/45/s1, Figure S1: DLS analyses of NPs suspensions; Figure S2: XRD analyses of dried NPs suspensions; Figure S3: Representative TEM images of Au/TiO<sup>2</sup> supported on TiO<sup>2</sup> and their size distribution histograms; Figure S4: Representative TEM images of AuPd/TiO<sup>2</sup> supported on TiO<sup>2</sup> and their size distribution histograms; Figure S5: TGA analyses of PAN-based membranes; Figure S6: Effect of thermal treatments on PAN + AuPd/TiO<sup>2</sup> membranes catalytic activity; Figure S7: Reaction temperature effect on the catalytic performance of PAN + AuPd/TiO<sup>2</sup> sample; Figure S8: DSC analyses of PAN and Nylon; Figure S9: Effect of reaction temperature on NYL + AuPd/TiO<sup>2</sup> membranes catalytic activity; Table S1: Amounts of polymer and inorganic fraction used to prepare the suspension in DMF and electrospinning processing conditions; Table S2: Amounts of polymer and inorganic fraction used to prepare FA/CHCl<sup>3</sup> suspensions; Table S3: Electrospinning processing conditions and average diameter obtained; Table S4: Characteristic of prepared catalysts and average diameters of metallic dimension estimated from XRD and TEM analysis; Table S5: Thermal characterization results for Nyl based nanofibers.

FA/CHCl3 suspensions; Table S3: Electrospinning processing conditions and average diameter obtained; Table S4: Characteristic of prepared catalysts and average diameters of metallic dimension estimated from XRD and TEM analysis; Table S5: Thermal characterization results for Nyl based nanofibers. **Author Contributions:** D.B., L.M., E.M., and C.G. designed the different experiments and supported the interpretation of catalytic tests and material characterization; F.F. and C.S. synthesized the catalysts and carried out catalytic evaluation and characterization of materials; L.G., C.G., M.L.F., A.Z., and S.A. were involved in the writing and editing the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Author Contributions:** D.B., L.M., E.M., and C.G. designed the different experiments and supported the interpretation of catalytic tests and material characterization; F.F. and C.S. synthesized the catalysts and carried out catalytic evaluation and characterization of materials; L.G., C.G., M.L.F., A.Z., and S.A. were involved in the **Funding:** This work was funded by SINCHEM Joint Doctorate Program-Erasmus Mundus Action (framework agreement Nº 2013-0037).

writing and editing the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. **Acknowledgments:** The Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR) is acknowledged.

**Acknowledgments:** The Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR) is acknowledged.

**Funding:** This work was funded by SINCHEM Joint Doctorate Program-Erasmus Mundus Action (framework **Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.

agreement Nº 2013-0037).
