Abstract
Glucose–carbon hybrids were synthetized with different carbon materials, namely carbon nanotubes, reduced graphene oxide, carbon black and activated carbon by a hydrothermal treatment. These carbon hybrids were used as Pt-supports (1 wt.%) for the furfural (FUR) hydroconversion in the gas phase at mild operating conditions (i.e., P = 1 atm and T = 200 °C). The physicochemical properties (porosity, surface chemistry, Pt-dispersion, etc.) were analyzed by different techniques. Glucose–carbon hybrids presented apparent surface areas between 470–500 m2 g−1, a neutral character and a good distribution of small Pt-nanoparticles, some large ones with octahedral geometry being also formed. Catalytic results showed two main reaction pathways: (i) FUR hydrogenation to furfuryl alcohol (FOL), and (ii) decarbonylation to furane (FU). The products distribution depended on the reaction temperature, FOL or FU being mainly produced at low (120–140 °C) or high temperatures (170–200 °C), respectively. At intermediate temperatures, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol was formed by secondary FOL hydrogenation. FUR hydroconversion is a structure-sensitive reaction, rounded-shape Pt-nanoparticles producing FU, while large octahedral Pt-particles favor the formation of FOL. Pt-catalysts supported on glucose–carbon hybrids presented a better catalytic performance at low temperature than the catalyst prepared on reference material, no catalyst deactivation being identified after several hours on stream.
Highlights
Alternative feedstocks for chemical/pharmaceutical industries are progressively demanded to attend the increasing employ of chemicals and fuels properly, as well to simultaneously reduce the dependence of fossil fuels, i.e., coal and petroleum
This fact can be attributed to the high amount of glucose used in the preparation in comparison with the carbon dopant (i.e., 5 wt.%), this low loading of dopant being used to avoid its sedimentation inside the autoclave during the synthesis
The CS material presented the narrowest distribution of spheres with particle sizes around 250–300 nm (Figure 1a), while an increase of the sphere size was observed for all glucose–carbon hybrids, the largest spheres of around 700—800 nm being formed for CS-activated carbon (AC) (Figure 1f)
Summary
Alternative feedstocks for chemical/pharmaceutical industries are progressively demanded to attend the increasing employ of chemicals and fuels properly, as well to simultaneously reduce the dependence of fossil fuels, i.e., coal and petroleum. Most of the FUR produced is transformed into furfuryl alcohol (FOL) by hydrogenation of the C=O group, a vast list of valuable products may be obtained directly or indirectly from FUR [6,7] by different processes, including tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFOL), 2-methylfuran (2-MFU), furan (FU) or tetrahydrofuran (THF), among others. All of these chemicals have a high economic and environmental impact for the production of green fuels, additives, lubricants, polymers (e.g., polyester, polyurethane, polyamides), flavors, drugs, solvents and so on
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
