Phosphorus and nitrogen-doped palladium nanomaterials support on coral-like carbon materials as the catalyst for semi-hydrogenation of phenylacetylene and mechanism study

•High surface area of the carbon materials were synthesized.•A phosphorus and nitrogen doped palladium nanomaterials support on carbon materials are prepared.•The catalyst used to selectivity hydrogenation of the phenylacetylene to styrene under mild conditions.•P element can change the electron density of Pd to increase the selectivity of reaction.