Abstract
A series of TiO2 supported Ru–Cu bimetallic catalysts was investigated for the hydrogenolysis of glycerol. The catalysts were characterized by H2 chemisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM/EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The addition of copper led to an increase in the selectivity to 1,2-propanediol. The highest activity and selectivity was observed for a 1:1 Cu/Ru mass ratio. The results were explained in terms of the interaction between Ru and Cu. Copper diluted large Ru ensembles that are responsible for CC bond cleavage leading to ethylene glycol production instead of the desired 1,2-propanediol. The presence of Cu also inhibited the deactivation exhibited by monometallic Ru. Among all the catalysts, the 2.5Ru–2.5Cu/TiO2 catalyst exhibited the best performance in the hydrogenolysis of glycerol.
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