Conversion Yield Research Articles

Producing sorbitol from cellulose over Ru-WOX co-doped biochars catalysts

In this work, bifunctional Ru-WOX support on four kinds of biochars using as hydrogenation catalysts to convert cellulose into sorbitol. Four biochar including walnut shell (WS), eucalyptus lignin (EL), pine lignin (PN), and corn cob (CN). The Ru-WOX/biochar catalysts were characterized, and the performance of the catalysts were studied under various conditions. It showed that biochar supports have significantly affected on hydrogenation activity, the sorbitol yields have the order of WS > PN > EL > CN, and found that Ru-WOX/WS achieved 100% cellulose conversion and sorbitol yield as high as 82.6% at 220°C for 4 h, and 3 MPa H2 pressure. The relation of structure-performance showed that biochar from WS facilitated the formation of Ru0 due to its larger specific surface area as well as high ratio of Ru0/Ru4+. The catalytic performance has not changed after using 5 times.

Integrated and Automated: Liquid Metal‐based System for Full Cycle CO2‐to‐Carbon Conversion

AbstractThe urgency for carbon neutrality is driving the need for cost‐effective Carbon Capture and Conversion (iCCC) technology, but the lack of a unified platform for capture, release, and the subsequent in situ catalytic conversion has hindered its widespread adoption. To address this gap, it have showcased the feasibility of achieving an energetically balanced design intertwining CO2 capture and in situ conversion through a continuous gas‐to‐solid reaction process on the customized liquid metal‐based reaction system. The system exhibits a remarkable carbon production capability, achieving a peak yield of 550.57 µmolC mmol CO2‐−1 accompanied by 100% carbon conversion rate. The vertically bottom‐up spiral reactor design introduces significant mass transfer enhancements, resulting in a higher conversion yield rate of 8658.3 µmol h−1 (323.24 µmolC mmolCO2‐−1) while requiring an energy input of only 30.79 GJ t−1 CO2 in a 1.508×10−3 m3 unit. The solid carbon produced in the continuous setup also holds the potential for high‐end application value, such as being a high‐performance material for wave adsorption or acting as an efficient photocatalyst. This research insights are poised to chart new pathway into refining the design strategy for CO2 solidification processes, particularly the seamless melding of carbon capture and in situ conversion.

Optimization and Techno-Economic analysis of catalytic gasification of wheat straw biomass using ASPEN PLUS model

Biomass gasification efficiently produces heat, electricity, and power. However, removing harmful contaminants from raw syngas is crucial. Tar production is a challenge due to blockage, plugging, and corrosion. Tar steam reforming (TSR) is the most promising technique, converting high molecular weight hydrocarbons into CO, CO2, H2, and CH4. In this study, a model of biomass gasification using wheat straw as biomass feedstock has been developed using Aspen Plus. The gasification flow sheet encompasses gasification, catalytic filter candle, gas cleaning, impurity removal reactor, separator, and subsequent sorbent reactors. Ni-based catalysts with Ni ratios (5%, 10%, and 15%) are used to simulate TSR reactions. Results show that the 15% Ni-Co-Al2O3 catalyst outperforms the 10% and 5% Ni-Co-Al2O3 catalysts. This study explores the impact of temperature, catalyst loadings, and steam-to-carbon (S/C) ratios on toluene conversion and hydrogen yield in catalytic steam reforming, along with temperature, steam-to-biomass ratios, and equivalence ratio on syngas fraction in gasification. It includes a techno-economic analysis of wheat straw gasification to improve syngas energy through efficient tar conversion.

Efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid with Fe-Ni3S2@NiFe-PBA nanocubes

The electrooxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) represents a promising avenue for generating value-added products derived from biomass. Nevertheless, the development of highly efficient electrocatalysts for HMF electrooxidation (HMFOR) remains an ongoing challenge. In this study, we present a novel approach wherein Fe-doped Ni3S2@NiFe-PBA nanocubes are synthesized directly on three-dimensional nickel foam (NF) substrates using a straightforward hydrothermal reaction and subsequent impregnation. This composite Fe-Ni3S2@NiFe-PBA/NF catalyst showcases exceptional performance in HMFOR (a faraday efficiency of 97.4 %), characterized by both its remarkable conversion (100 %) and impressive FDCA yield (97.1 %), coupled with its robust stability over ten cycles. The heightened HMFOR activity exhibited by the Fe-Ni3S2@NiFe-PBA/NF catalyst can be contributed to the introduction of Fe into the Ni3S2 matrix. This deliberate doping strategy engenders accelerated charge transfer kinetics, an increased abundance of accessible surface-active sites, and improved conductivity, thereby enhancing the overall HMFOR performance. By establishing these outcomes, this investigation lays a foundation for the prospective design of electrocatalysts with applications in biomass utilization and energy conversion.

Lipophilized rosmarinic acid: Impact of alkyl type and food matrix on antioxidant activity, and optimized enzymatic production

In this study, the initial focus was on exploring the simultaneous impact of the oil-based food matrix and the polarity of rosmarinic acid derivatives on the antioxidant properties. Rosmarinic acid (RA) showed remarkable DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS radical scavenging activities, followed by methyl rosmarinate (MR) and ethyl rosmarinate (ER). In bulk oil, both conjugated dienes and p-AnV values reached a peak in the following order after 30 days: ER > MR > RA = BHT > control (no antioxidant). In the oil structured using monoacylglycerol, MR was more effective than ER and RA. For ethyl cellulose oleogel, emulsion, and gelled emulsion systems, RA was more effective. Additionally, after confirming the importance of the food matrix on the antioxidant activity of RA derivatives, the lipophilization of RA with ethanol was optimized as a model with Lipozyme 435 in hexane. A conversion yield of as high as 85.59% for ER was achieved, as quantified by HPLC-UV and confirmed by HPLC-DAD-ESI-qTOFMS.

Novel modelling of metal atoms diffusion and ion transport in ECR plasma relevant to ion sources and in-plasma nuclear physics studies

Metals can be injected into electron cyclotron resonance ion sources (ECRIS) via different techniques, among which resistive ovens are used to vaporize neutral materials, later captured by the energetic plasma that will step-wise ionize them, hence giving multiply charged ion beams for accelerators. Recently, PANDORA, a novel ECR plasma trap, has been conceived to perform interdisciplinary research spanning from nuclear physics to astrophysics, where in-plasma high charge states of metallic species are demanded. However, a full knowledge on the vaporization method and on the coupling of neutral atoms with plasma and its overall dynamics is still not available. Simulations, hence, are of fundamental relevance to improve the overall efficiency, reduce consumption of rare expensive isotopes, and to improve the ion source performance. We present a numerical study about metallic species suitable for oven injection in ECRIS, focusing on metals diffusion, transport, and wall deposition under molecular flow regime. We studied the metal dynamics with and without plasma. Results underline the plasma role on a space-dependent conversion yield, reflecting the strongly inhomogeneous ECR plasma. The plasma and its parameters have been modelled using an established self-consistent particle-in-cell model. The numerical tool is conceived for the PANDORA plasma trap but can be extended to other ECR plasmas and traps. As test cases we studied the 134Cs and 48Ca radioisotopes, as metals of interest for the modern nuclear physics. A focus is given on the β-decaying 134Cs, as an application case for PANDORA, providing quantitative estimates of the γ-detection signal-poisoning effect by neutral metals deposition at the chamber wall.

Hydrophobic Coatings with Charge Permeability via Plasma Deposition of Long-Chain Perfluorocarbons.

Hydrophobization of nanotextured catalyst materials is a promising route to enhance the yield of N2 and CO2 conversion into green fuels. However, these applications require a hydrophobic coating to not only promote air trapping but also allow charge transfer at the electrode-electrolyte interface. In this work, nano thin films with thicknesses as low as 7 nm were deposited from the plasma phase of perfluorohexene, perfluorodecene, and perfluorooctane (PFO) precursors using a mild vacuum and gentle powers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization reveal that the resulting films are conformal and hydrophobic thanks to a good retention of CF2 and CF3 moieties. The PFO films exhibited the highest water contact angle and achieved superhydrophobic states when deposited on top of re-entrant nano features, an indication of successful air trapping. Electrochemical studies further demonstrated that the plasma-deposited PFO films allow charge transfer but could only sustain repeated cyclic voltammetry cycles without losing their hydrophobicity when deposited under optimal conditions. This result indicates that plasma deposition could become a viable route for the hydrophobization of electrocatalysts required to enhance the yield of poorly soluble gas reduction reactions.

Optimizing Hydrogen Production: Influence of Promoters in Methane Decomposition on Titania-Modified-Zirconia Supported Fe Catalyst.

This study addresses the pivotal challenge of hydrogen production through methane decomposition, offering a pathway to achieving clean energy goals. Investigating the utilization of titania-modified zirconia dual redox supports (10TiZr) in iron or doped iron-based catalysts for the CH4 decomposition reaction, our research involves a thorough characterization process. This includes analyses of the surface area porosity, X-ray diffraction, Raman-infrared spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction/oxidation. The observed sustained enhancement in catalytic activity over extended durations suggests the in situ formation of catalytically active sites. The introduction of Co or Ni into the 30Fe/10TiZr catalyst leads to the generation of a higher density of reducible species. Furthermore, the Ni-promoted 30Fe/10TiZr catalyst exhibits a lower crystallinity, indicating superior dispersion. Notably, the cobalt-promoted 30Fe/10TiZr catalyst achieves over 80% CH4 conversion and H2 yield within 3 h. Additionally, the Ni-promoted 30Fe/10TiZr catalyst attains a remarkable 87% CH4 conversion and 82% H2 yield after 3 h of the continuous process.

Valorization of black carrot pomace and pea powder for co-production of polygalacturonase and pectin lyase

AbstractPectic enzyme groups, particularly polygalacturonase and pectin lyase, are vital components of a high-value microbial enzyme category widely employed in applications within the fruit juice and wine industries. The exploration of alternative carbon and nitrogen sources remains crucial for enhancing enzyme production while reducing costs. This study evaluates the impact of carbon (black carrot pomace) and nitrogen (pea protein) loading on fermentable sugar content, protein content, and enzyme activities during both batch and fed-batch cultivation. Additionally, three distinct valorization techniques—thermal (steam), thermochemical (steam assisted with dilute acid), and microwave-assisted with dilute acid pretreatments—were assessed for their effectiveness in hydrolyzing black carrot pomace as a carbon source. The findings indicate that microwave-assisted dilute acid, coupled with enzymatic saccharification, resulted in the highest fermentable sugar production (0.493 g/g), achieving an 87.3% conversion yield. Pea protein demonstrated more favorable outcomes with the highest polygalacturonase activity (20.50 ± 0.52 U/L) and pectin lyase activity (46.44 ± 3.45 U/L) compared to whey protein and yeast extract used as nitrogen sources. Meanwhile, the highest polygalacturonase and pectin lyase activity, along with the highest total protein content (52.25 ± 0.06 mg/L), was recorded under the same culture conditions, reaching 164.34 ± 2.26 and 188.22 ± 1.72 U/L, respectively, after 72 h, representing approximately 1.18- and 1.34-fold increases from the batch system. Consequently, these results prove that fed-batch cultivation, utilizing black carrot pomace hydrolyzate as a feeding substrate and pea protein as a nitrogen source, significantly increases polygalacturonase and pectin lyase activity compared to batch cultivation.

Poly(ionic liquid)-based aerogels for continuous-flow CO2 upcycling

The atmospheric concentration of CO2 is rising at an alarming pace, creating a pressing need for new and sustainable materials capable of capture and conversion. Poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) are particularly effective catalysts for processes at or near atmospheric pressure. PILs industrial application poses challenges due to the low porosity of PIL, the limited batch conversion capacity, and the difficulties in reuse. To overcome these limitations, we herein propose the use of AEROPILs catalysts obtained from the integration of PILs in chitosan-based aerogels. These cost-effective highly porous materials have unique and tuneable porous properties making them not only ideal sustainable CO2 sorbents but also promising heterogeneous catalysts. While AEROPILs show moderate yields for CO2 conversion in batch mode, high catalytic activity was achieved when AEROPILs were used to catalyse the CO2 cycloaddition reaction to epoxides in packed-bed reactors operated under continuous flow. The catalytic activity and stability were maintained over 60 h without activity loss, and high productivity (space-time yield of 21.18 gprod h−1 L−1). This research reveals the pioneering use of AEROPILs to efficiently upcycle CO2 into cyclic carbonate under a continuous flow setup.

Harnessing tobacco stem biomass for eco-friendly xylo-oligomers production via hydrothermal treatment and succinic acid via fermentation

The integration of processes offers promising avenues for valorization of the tobacco waste, enabling the production of commercially significant compounds beyond traditional tobacco leaves designation. This research delves into the feasibility of extracting xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) from tobacco stems via hydrothermal pretreatment. Emphasis was laid on XOS release kinetics from high solid loads (20% w/v) during pretreatment. The optimal conditions, which facilitated maximum oligomer recovery with minimal degradation compounds and reducing sugar solubilization, were then scaled up. The resultant solid fraction underwent enzymatic hydrolysis at varied solid loads (5%, 10%, and 15% w/v). Subsequent to this, succinic acid production was targeted, propelling the optimal enzymatic hydrolysate towards fermentation using the bacterium Actinobacillus succinogenes. Key findings revealed that a temperature of 190 °C during 8-min emerged as the most effective pretreatment conditions, yielding XOS at 49.54% with a concentration of 11.11 g.L−1. Enzymatic hydrolysis remained relatively uninfluenced by variations in solid loads, thereby permitting the use of high solid loads (15% w/v) to obtain concentrated hydrolysates at 49.37 g.L−1 with a conversion yield of 62.90%. Markedly, this study pioneered the demonstration of tobacco waste as a viable precursor for biosuccinic acid synthesis. Succinic acid concentration stood at 16.88 g.L−1, achieving a yield of 42%. A comprehensive mass balance evaluation spotlighted the potential to derive 56 kg of XOS and 78 kg of succinic acid per 1000 kg of tobacco raw biomass by the process developed herein.

Biocatalytic Synthesis of l‐Pipecolic Acid by a Lysine Cyclodeaminase: Batch and Flow Reactors

Abstractl‐Pipecolic Acid (l‐PA) is a valuable building block for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals such as anesthetics and immunosuppressants. Thus, more efficient and greener strategies are desired for its production. Herein, we have applied a previously engineered variant of the Lysine Cyclodeaminase from Streptomyces pristinaespiralis (e‐SpLCD) for the bioconversion of l‐Lysine into l‐PA. The reaction can be performed by the free e‐SpLCD reaching full conversion to 50 mM l‐PA. From a biotechnological perspective, the process scale‐up has been trialed in a SpinChem® reactor, albeit with lower conversion yields. To further enhance the biocatalyst stability, we present a detailed study of the e‐SpLCD immobilization on microparticles. This enabled the integration of the immobilized biocatalyst into a packed‐bed reactor for the continuous flow synthesis of l‐PA. The full conversion was achieved in 90 min, maintaining also high operational stability. Remarkably, the addition of exogenous cofactor was not needed for the flow reaction, although the long‐term operational stability was improved by the addition of NAD+.

Unlocking the Potential of Cu/Ti3C2Tx MXene Catalyst in Plasma Catalytic CO2 Hydrogenation

Plasma catalytic CO2 hydrogenation has emerged as a promising approach for converting CO2 into valuable chemicals such as CO, offering a potential solution to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, we investigate the synergistic effect between plasma and a Cu/Ti3C2Tx MXene catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation via the reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor. Our findings reveal a significant enhancement in CO2 conversion (33.1%) and CO yield (31.9%) when using the Cu/Ti3C2Tx catalyst compared to plasma alone or with a Ti3C2Tx foam. Plasma treatment creates unsaturated Ti sites on the Ti3C2Tx surface, dramatically improving CO2 adsorption and activation, while Cu nanoparticles significantly enhances the activation and dissociation of H2 molecules on the catalyst surface. These surface adsorbed hydrogen species readily hydrogenate adsorbed CO2 molecules through the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism. Furthermore, these surface hydrogen species can also participate in the conversion of gas-phase CO2 molecules through the Eley-Rideal pathway. This work sheds light on the synergistic plasma catalytic mechanism and provide insights for optimizing CO2 hydrogenation processes using MXene catalysts.

Coupling phyllosilicate and NiCo alloy nanoparticles on sepiolite to enhance stability for hydrogen production by ethanol steam reforming

For hydrogen production from ethanol steam reforming (ESR), The NiCo alloy immobilized on sepiolite (SEP) support by a phyllosilicate precursor was deemed as an effective strategy to improved catalyst stability. The Ni/Co ratio was regulated to optimized the ESR reactivity of the bi-metallic catalysts prepared by the NH4F assisted urea hydrothermal method. The synergy effect of NiCo alloy with a Ni-rich surface on ESR reactivity and anti-deactivation was investigated. The 5Ni10Co/SEP catalyst presented the highest conversion (99.4 %) and H2 yield (68.2 %) at 700 °C, which was benefited from the downsized nanoparticle size and strong metal-support interaction. The proposal structure-activity relationship suggested that the NiCo alloy was exsolved from the phyllosilicate precursor grafted on SEP framework, providing an excellent mitigation for metal sintering. In addition, the synergy of NiCo alloy was elaborated by a combination of enhanced ethanol adsorption/dissociation on Ni sites and restrained methanation on Co sites, offering a 50 h catalyst stability during ESR consisting of the ethanol dehydration route. The developed NiCo alloy catalyst based on SEP support with phyllosilicate precursor provided a prospect on the application to H2 production from ESR over the bimetallic catalysts with simple preparation, high economy and structure stability.

Efficiency NiCu/t-zirconia catalysts for methanol steam reforming: Experimental and DFT insights

The development of copper-based catalysts with superior stability, activity, and reduced CO selectivity has been a prominent subject of research in the domain of hydrogen production via methanol steam reforming. In this paper, the bimetallic Ni–Cu catalysts supported by t-ZrO2 were synthesized, with varying concentrations of copper phase being considered. The prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, XPS, BET, ICP, FESEM, TEM, H2-TPR, EPR and N2O titration, and the results showed that appropriate copper phase concentration and nickel doping obviously decreased the crystal size and promoted the development of pore structure. With the condition of W/M = 3 and LHSV = 5.6 h−1, the catalytic activity revealed the methanol conversion and H2 yield of CNZs were evaluated. The CNZ-4 exhibited optimal performance and stability in the MSR process, with a methanol conversion rate of 100 % and H2 yield of 311 mmol g−1 h−1 at a temperature of 533 K. Given the results that in-situ DRIFTS tests showed, the generation of methyl formate as an intermediate was evaluated. Moreover, further DFT insights pointed out that the ternary surface model showed the best surface adsorption and reaction performance, which provided evidence for the high activity of CNZ catalyst at the molecular level.

Production and Characterization of Red Fruit Spirits Made from Red Raspberries, Blueberries, and Strawberries.

This study demonstrated the feasibility of fermenting and distilling low-commercial-value red fruits such as red raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries to produce high-value red fruit spirits. The fermentation process was efficient, with all red berry wines achieving a notable ethanol conversion yield (46.33 to 66.31%), without the need for nutrient supplementation or fruit juice solid separation, which showed no significant effect on the quality of the final product. Small-scale copper Charentais alembic distillation of the fermented red fruit juices resulted in fruit spirits equivalent to 1%, 7%, and 2% of the initial volume for red raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, respectively. Except for the blueberry spirit, which had a lower volatile compound concentration (79.4 g/hL, absolute alcohol), all the produced red fruit spirits complied with legislation, including ethanol (37.9-40.2% v/v) and methanol (22.8-877.9 g/hL, absolute alcohol) concentrations and exhibited favorable aromatic profiles. The findings highlight that fermentation and distillation are straightforward, consistent, and reproducible methods, enabling the production of high-quality red fruit spirits from economically viable red fruit sources. This presents a significant opportunity in the spirits market, offering versatile applications as low-alcohol options, base spirits, or, with re-distillation, high-alcohol spirits.

Actividad probiótica de PROBIOLACTIL®, SUBTILPROBIO® y su mezcla en pollos de ceba

Biopreparations with Lactobacillus salivarius and Bacillus subtilis are used as probiotics in poultry farming due to their beneficial effects on the intestinal ecosystem. Objective. To evaluate the probiotic activity of the biopreparations PROBIOLACTIL®, SUBTILPROBIO® and their mixture on microbiological, productive and health indicators in broilers. Materials and methods. An experiment with a completely randomized design was carried out for 42 days with four treatments: T1. Control diet (control group), T2. PROBIOLACTIL® (bioprepared with Lactobacillus salivarius C-65) + diet, T3. SUBTILPROBIO® (Bioprepared with Bacillus subtilis E-44) + diet and T4. Mixture of both biopreparations + diet. Results. The treatments where the probiotics were applied presented an increase in total lactobacilli and anaerobes (p≤0.05) and a reduction in total coliforms. Live weight was higher in birds treated with the mixture, and weight gain, average daily gain, feed conversion and carcass yield were improved. The application of additives reduced mortality and increased viability in birds. Conclusions. The synergistic activity of Lactobacillus salivarius and Bacillus subtilis increases probiotic activity and favors the productive performance and viability of broilers.

Hexanoic acid upgrading into hexyl hexanoate: An efficient way to obtain a new sustainable biofuel

Hexyl hexanoate emerges as a promising candidate for integration into diesel fuel blends. To achieve a green synthesis of hexyl hexanoate, a straightforward process was proposed, utilizing hexanoic acid and hydrogen as reactants, both potentially obtainable from renewable sources. 5 % Ru/C, 5 % Pt/C and 10 % Pd/C were tested for the hydrogenation/esterification of hexanoic acid. Among these, 10 % Pd/C proved to be the most effective catalyst: after a 6-hour reaction at 573 K under 20 bar of H2, hexanoic acid exhibited a partial conversion (84.7 %) into a mixture of hexyl hexanoate, water, hexanoic acid, and 1-hexanol (58.7 %, 12.9 %, 14.9 %, and 13.5 % wt, respectively), resulting in a hexyl hexanoate yield of 69.8 %. Following the removal of 10 % Pd/C, the addition of AlCl3·6H2O to the reaction mixture was considered for enhancing hexyl hexanoate production, through further conversion of previously unreacted hexanoic acid and 1-hexanol. A remarkable increase in hexanoic acid conversion (94.2 %) and hexyl hexanoate yield (from 69.8 % to 88.8 %) was achieved, along with an increase in the hexyl hexanoate purity of the final product (86.8 %). An efficient, clean, and resource-saving synthesis of hexyl hexanoate from hexanoic acid was achieved, supported by the recoverability and reusability of both catalysts, boding well for an effective and widespread use of such ester in diesel fuel blends.

Facile Peptide Macrocyclization and Multifunctionalization via Cyclen Installation.

Cyclen-peptide bioconjugates are usually prepared in multiple steps that require individual preparation and purification of the cyclic peptide and hydrophilic cyclen derivatives. An efficient strategy is discovered for peptide cyclization and functionalization toward lanthanide probe via three components intermolecular crosslinking on solid-phase peptide synthesis with high conversion yield. Multifunctionality can be conferred by introducing different modular parts or/and metal ions on the cyclen-embedded cyclopeptide. As a proof-of-concept, a luminescent Eu3+ complex and a Gd3+-based contrasting agent for in vitro optical imaging and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging, respectively, are demonstrated through utilizing this preparation of cyclen-embedded cyclic arginylglycylaspartic acid (RGD) peptide.

Functionalized ligands mediated microenvironment of Pd@UiO-66-X catalysts for ethanol upgrading to n-butanol

The upgrading of ethanol to produce n-butanol and other >C4 alcohols is a promising reaction. However, the development of efficient catalysts for this reaction has been slow. In this study, we prepared a series of Pd@UiO-66-X catalysts using ligands functionalized with electron-donating groups (–NH2 and –CH3) and electron-accepting groups (–H and –NO2). These functional groups play two roles in mediating the microenvironment of the Pd metal. Firstly, they regulate the electronic properties of the Pd metal, and secondly, they alter the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity surrounding the Pd metal. The intrinsic electronic properties of the Pd metal significantly influence ethanol conversion, while the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity surrounding the Pd metal is an extrinsic factor. As a result, the Pd@UiO-66-CH3 catalyst with a hydrophobic microenvironment around the electron-rich Pd metal exhibits the highest ethanol conversion and n-butanol yield among all the Pd@UiO-66-X catalysts. It also achieves an impressive >C4 alcohols yield of up to 47.7 %, which is the highest reported to date.