Abstract
Vapor-phase transformations of furfural over SBA-15 silica supported Ni catalysts under H2 in a continuous-flow reactor at atmospheric pressure and 170°C and 230°C were investigated. Two different samples having Ni loadings of 5 and 20 wt% (denoted here by SBA-5Ni and SBA-20Ni, respectively) were prepared by impregnation and characterized by atomic absorption spectroscopy, N2 sorption analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Furan and furfuryl alcohol were two primary products resulting, respectively, from decarbonylation and hydrogenation of furfural. Under the conditions of the study, both reactions exhibited structure sensitivity evidenced by changes in product selectivities with variable Ni loadings. Compared with SBA-20Ni, the 5 wt% Ni catalyst showed better catalytic activity, reaching a furfural conversion of 100 mol% and a selectivity to furan of 98 mol%, after 5 h of time-on-stream at 230°C.
Highlights
Lignocellulosic biomass has attracted significant attention worldwide as a feedstock for renewable liquid fuels and chemical production due to its low cost and availability
Furfural is a major product and a rich source of derivatives that are potential biofuel components [1]-[3]. These include furan, furfuryl alcohol, 2-methylfuran, and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, which can be obtained by furfural decarbonylation or hydrogenation reactions, either in liquid or gas phase
Cu is highly selective for hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol [6]-[10]; Pd is an efficient catalyst for decarbonylation of furfural to furan [7] [11]-[14]; and Ni and Pt, depending on conditions, can promote both reactions to different extents [7] [15] [16]
Summary
Lignocellulosic biomass has attracted significant attention worldwide as a feedstock for renewable liquid fuels and chemical production due to its low cost and availability. Furfural is a major product and a rich source of derivatives that are potential biofuel components [1]-[3] These include furan, furfuryl alcohol, 2-methylfuran, and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, which can be obtained by furfural decarbonylation or hydrogenation reactions, either in liquid or gas phase. The hydrogenation activity becomes significant, which leads to the formation of furfuryl alcohol, while at high temperatures (230 ̊C) the decarbonylation reaction dominates to produce furan. These primary products are further converted in secondary reactions. Elemental analysis was performed on a PERKIN-ELMER 2400 CHN with a LECO VTF900 pyrolysis oven
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