Outstanding efficiency of indium in bimetallic catalysts for hydroconversion of bioacids to bioalcohols

• Published in: Catalysis communications Vol. 38; pp. 50 - 53
• Main Author: Onyestyák, György
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 05.08.2013
• Subjects: Acetic acid hydrodeoxygenation; bimetallic PtIn catalyst; ethanol; indium co-catalyst; Acetic acid hydrodeoxygenation; indium co-catalyst; bimetallic PtIn catalyst; ethanol
• ISSN: 1566-7367; 1873-3905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.catcom.2013.04.018

Step by step reduction of acetic acid (AA) to ethanol was investigated over novel bimetallic catalysts (PtIn/Al2O3) for the processing of VFAs (volatile fatty acids) that can be produced simply by thermochemical or biological biomass degradation. A fixed bed flow-through reactor was applied with hydrogen stream at 21bar total pressure in the temperature range of 220–380°C. AA hydroconversion activity of the parent alumina supported Pt catalyst and the yield of selectively produced alcohol can be increased drastically by In2O3 addition. Appearance of metallic indium creating a bimetallic catalyst can direct the consecutive catalytic reduction to ethanol formation inhibiting hydrodecarbonylation. Comparing the In-containing bimetallic catalysts studied recently, NiIn-catalyst showing similar activity to that of the PtIn-catalyst can be a cheap substitute for the expensive Pt catalysts in the reduction carboxylic acids. [Display omitted] •Indium doped catalysts are highly efficient for acetic acid reduction to ethanol.•Modification with indium resulted in the change of the reaction mechanism.•Turnover frequencies are not dependent on the Pt loading.