Hydrogenation of lactic acid to propylene glycol over a carbon-supported ruthenium catalyst

Abstract

Catalytic hydrogenation of lactic acid to propylene glycol is performed in a high-pressure batch reactor over ruthenium on various carbon supports (i.e., VulcanXC-72, ketjen black, CNTs, CNFs, and graphite) prepared using the incipient wetness impregnation method. The crystallinity of the synthesized catalyst is investigated via X-ray diffraction, and the particle sizes are determined using transmission electron microscopy. The surface areas of the synthesized catalysts are analyzed using the BET method; the catalytic activity correlates remarkably with the BET surface area. The yield of propylene glycol increases with pressure, and the highest yield is achieved at 130°C. The catalytic activity is strongly dependent on the type of support. Among the catalysts tested, Ru on ketjen black shows the highest yield of propylene glycol.