Mild catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis of lignin for efficient monophenol production over lignin-coordinated N-doped ultrafine Ni nanocluster catalyst

• Published in: Fuel processing technology Vol. 248; p. 107835
• Main Authors: Xue, Zhenglong, Liu, Qimeng, Wang, Guanhua, Sui, Wenjie, Parvez, Ashak Mahmud, Si, Chuanling
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2023
• Subjects: Depolymerized lignin characterization; Lignin catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis; Lignin-derived fuels; N-doped carbon support; Ultrafine Ni catalyst; Lignin catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis; Depolymerized lignin characterization; Ultrafine Ni catalyst; N-doped carbon support; Lignin-derived fuels
• ISSN: 0378-3820; 1873-7188
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2023.107835

Lignin hydrogenolysis into monophenols presents a promising route for lignin-based chemical and fuel production but still suffers from harsh reaction conditions (e.g. high temperature and high external H2 pressure). Herein, we report an ultrafine Ni nanocluster anchored on N-doped carbon nanosheets (Ni/LNC) for efficient catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis of poplar organosolv lignin. The catalyst was fabricated through a simple pyrolysis process of lignin‑nickel complex mixed with melamine, in which the lignin coordination greatly improved the Ni dispersion and the strong NiN interaction inhibited the Ni nanocluster growth, resulting in the ultrafine particle size (1–2 nm). Under mild conditions (160 °C, 1 h), 22.08% of monophenol yield was obtained over the catalyst, which was significantly higher than those over the two reference catalysts (Ni/AC and Ni/LC) as well as other previously reported Ni-based catalysts. The excellent catalytic activity can be attributed to both the substantial increase in catalytic active sites and the enhancement in H transfer from methanol resulted from the electron-rich N-doped nanosheet support. Finally, magnetically recycled Ni/LNC showed excellent recycling stability. Consequently, this work presents a facile and low-cost approach for the synthesis of N-doped carbon nanosheet supported ultrafine Ni nanocluster and further demonstrates its superior applicability in lignin hydrogenolysis. [Display omitted] •Novel Ni/LNC was prepared by simple pyrolysis of melamine mixed Ni-lignin complex.•Ultrafine Ni nanoclusters (1-2 nm) were formed due to lignin coordination and N-anchoring.•High monophenol yield (22.08%) was obtained over Ni/LNC via CTH process at 160 °C.•Ultrafine Ni nanoclusters and N-doping synergistically enhance Ni/LNC catalytic activity.•Magnetically recycled Ni/LNC shows excellent reusability due to strong NiN interactions.