Abstract
This study investigates the effects of the addition of tungsten on the structure, phase composition, textural properties and activities of β-SiC-based catalysts in the aqueous phase hydrogenation of furfural. Carbothermal reduction of SiO2 in the presence of WO3 at 1550 °C in argon resulted in the formation of WxC-β-SiC nanocomposite powders with significant variations in particle morphology and content of WxC-tipped β-SiC nano-whiskers, as revealed by TEM and SEM-EDS. The specific surface area (SSA) of the nanocomposite strongly depended on the amount of tungsten and had a notable impact on its catalytic properties for the production of furfuryl alcohol (FA) and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA). Nanocomposite WxC-β-SiC catalysts with 10 wt % W in the starting mixture had the highest SSA and the smallest WxC crystallites. Some 10 wt % W nanocomposite catalysts demonstrated up to 90% yield of THFA, in particular in the reduction of furfural derived from biomass, although the reproducible performance of such catalysts has yet to be achieved.
Highlights
The chemical industry is on the constant lookout for new, renewable sources of multi-purpose platform chemicals
Tungsten carbide has been tested previously for the catalytic synthesis of H2 O from H2 and O2 at ambient temperature, for the hydrogenation of WO3 by H2 in water and for 2,2-dimethylpropane isomerization into 2-methylbutane [41]. It has been considered as a replacement for Ir systems in satellite thrusters powered by hydrazine [42]
In the case of pure β-SiC catalysts, the activity of the systems depends on the presence of both β-SiC and SiO2 crystalline phases
Summary
The chemical industry is on the constant lookout for new, renewable sources of multi-purpose platform chemicals. The transformation of biomass has attracted particular interest, and numerous studies have been devoted to this subject. Biomass consists mainly of carbohydrates, which after chemical transformation can result in various products with interesting properties. Acidic hydrolysis of waste biomass can lead to the formation of furfural. Because it contains a carbonyl group and a furan ring which are reactive, this aldehyde is commonly used as a substrate in the synthesis of many desirable compounds. The catalytic reduction of furfural can produce furfuryl alcohol (FA) and both chemicals can be used further to yield tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA) [1,2,3]
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