Efficient catalysts are a pre-requisite in sustainable energy-driven industries of the future. In the selective hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol the industrial catalyst, copper-chromite, is commonly used. However, the process of producing the furfuryl alcohol is inefficient because the catalyst is not sufficiently durable and has to be continually replaced or regenerated. Additionally copper chromite also creates toxic chromium that is harmful to the environment. The research presented here looks at creating nanoscale intermetallic nanoparticles used in the hydrogenation of furfural selectively to furfuryl alcohol when Pt-Zn intermetallic compounds are used. A mesoporous silica shell is used to address the problem of particles aggregating when forming the intermetallic compound. The silica shell has shown no disadvantages in the processes, but further promotes the formation of the intermetallic compound. These results are promising towards the use of intermetallic compounds to promote selectivit...