Hydrodeoxygenation of benzofuran on novel CoPdP catalysts supported on potassium ion exchanged ultra-stable Y-zeolites

Abstract

The synthesis of bimetallic CoPdP phosphides supported on potassium ion exchanged ultra-stable Y (KUSY) zeolites was studied and catalytic activity tests on the hydrodeoxygenation of a model pyrolysis oil compound, benzofuran, were conducted. Temperature programmed reduction (TPR) profiles revealed that Pd aided the reduction of the Co, lowering both the onset and peak temperatures for reduction. The catalyst structure was probed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and extended X-ray adsorption fine structure (EXAFS), which showed the formation of CoPdP alloys. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to probe the Co and Pd sites on the surface. Several Co:Pd ratios were tested in the range of 225–350 °C at a medium pressure of 0.5 MPa. Synergistic effects were observed between Co and Pd, with the alloys showing higher activity than the single metal Pd or Co phosphide catalysts. High selectivity to unsaturated high carbon number products were obtained for the bimetallic phosphide catalysts.