Highly efficient hydrogenation of biomass oxygenates to alcohol products on MOF composite catalysts

Abstract

Selective hydrogenation of biomass oxygenates to valuable chemicals is a desired catalytic process from energy and environment. Traditional catalysts for selective hydrogenation of biomass oxygenates are prepared from co-impregnation or co-precipitation method. In this work, 93.6% of a 1,4-pentanediol yield as well as high stability was obtained on CeO2 supported cobalt and copper species (Cu3Co1/CeO2) by pyrolyzing a MOF composite from one-pot synthesis. Comparison showed that catalytic performances on Cu3Co1/CeO2 were higher than most literature sources, Cu3Co1/CeO2CP and individual Co0 or Cu0 on CeO2. Additionally, Cu3Co1/CeO2 also presents the yields of higher than 92.5% for γ-valerolactone, furfural, benzaldehyde, acetophenone and phenol to corresponding alcohol products. Characterization results indicated high catalytic results are derived from the coexistence of highly dispersed Cu0 and strong Lewis acid, copper and cobalt oxides, on Cu3Co1/CeO2. Redox support CeO2 facilitates dispersion of cobalt while the synergistic effect on dispersion and reduction of cobalt and copper achieves high efficient hydrogenation of biomass oxygenates.