Plant lignocellulose‐based feedstocks hydrogenolysis into polyols over a new efficient nickel–tungsten catalyst

Abstract

AbstractHere, we developed a new strategy for preparation of series of in‐situ reduction bimetallic catalysts Ni‐W/SiO2 by introducing of reducing agent in the preparation process. And these catalysts were applied into the catalytic hydrogenolysis of microcrystalline cellulose and pretreated lignocellulose. The results show that the in situ reduction 15%Ni–20%W/SiO2 shows the prominent activity for microcrystalline cellulose conversion into ethylene glycol (EG), 1,2‐propylene glycol, and glycerol with the highest yield of EG at 61.30% under the experimental condition. And the relative high of EG yield (30.23%) was obtained when a combinative pretreatment technology of steam explosion (0.45 MPa) coupled with hot alkali (70 °C) was introduced to enhance the hydrogenolysis of plant lignocellulose‐based feedstocks over the in situ reduction catalyst 15%Ni–20%W/SiO2. The SEM and thermogravimetry analysis revealed that segmental lignin and hemicellulose were removed partly by hot alkali pretreatment. Meanwhile, the existence of Ni–W alloys and metal Ni particles were evidenced by X‐ray diffraction spectra. In addition, by the detailed analysis via transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the catalytic particle size was distributed in the range of 9.3 ± 1.3 nm.