Fe‐Pd‐Immobilized Al‐Pillared Laponite Clay as an Efficient Catalyst for the Conversion of Furfural into Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol

Abstract

AbstractFurfural has been widely reported as a new‐generation renewable source for the production of chemicals and fuels. In this study, Fe−Pd immobilized Al‐pillared laponite clay material with suitable catalytic properties was explored as an efficient catalyst for the direct conversion of furfural (FAL) into tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFOL) under the mild reaction conditions (H2 pressure‐ 10 bar, temperature‐ 60 °C and time‐ 4 hrs). The synthesized samples were characterized by several physico–chemical techniques. XRD, FT‐IR, H2‐TPR and ICP‐OES results revealed the successful loading of those bi‐metals into the Al‐pillared laponite structure. Acidity of the sample has been thoroughly investigated by NH3‐TPD and FT‐IR techniques. The catalytic activity of synthesized samples was thoroughly evaluated for the total hydrogenation of FAL for the production of THFOL. It was observed that pure Fe−Pd catalyst showed very low FAL conversion (∼53 %) and THFOL selectivity (∼38 %), whereas the Al‐pillared laponite clay supported Fe−Pd catalyst showed an increase in the FAL conversion and THFOL selectivity up to 95 % and 98 %, respectively. The high performance of Fe−Pd/Al‐pillared laponite catalyst towards the formation of THFOL is not only ascribed to the fine dispersion of Fe and Pd species and their synergistic effect but also due to the high surface area, mesoporosity and suitable acidity of Al‐pillared laponite. The recyclability of the catalyst was also explored thoroughly which confirmed their stability. Sustainability of this process lies in the utilization of low‐value bio‐derived FAL for the production of industrially important THFOL chemical.