Control of selectivity, activity and durability of simple supported nickel catalysts for hydrolytic hydrogenation of cellulose

• Published in: Green chemistry : an international journal and green chemistry resource : GC Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 637 - 644
• Main Authors: Kobayashi, Hirokazu, Hosaka, Yuto, Hara, Kenji, Feng, Bo, Hirosaki, Yoshihiko, Fukuoka, Atsushi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Base metal; Basicity; Catalysis; Catalysts; Cellulose; Durability; Nickel; Titanium dioxide
• ISSN: 1463-9262; 1463-9270
• DOI: 10.1039/C3GC41357H

Efficient conversion of cellulose to sorbitol and mannitol by base metal catalysts is a challenge in green and sustainable chemistry, but typical supported base metal catalysts have not given good yields of hexitols or possessed durability. In this study, it has been demonstrated that a simple carbon-supported Ni catalyst affords up to 67% yield of hexitols in the conversion of cellulose, and that the catalyst is durable in the reuse experiments 7 times. In addition, the catalyst can be separated by a magnet thanks to a high content of Ni. Physicochemical analysis has indicated that the use of carbon supports has two benefits: no basicity and high water-tolerance. CeO sub(2), ZrO sub(2), gamma -Al sub(2)O sub(3) and TiO sub(2) cause side-reactions due to basicity, and SiO sub(2), gamma -Al sub(2)O sub(3) and CeO sub(2) are less stable in hot water. Another important factor is high Ni loading as the increase of Ni content from 10 wt% to 70 wt% significantly improves the yield of hexitols and the durability of catalysts. Larger crystalline Ni particles are more resistant to sintering of Ni and surface coverage by Ni oxide species.