Ni/SiO2 catalysts derived from carbothermal reduction of nickel phyllosilicate in the hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone: The efficacy of nitrogen decoration

Cheng Chia Li, Chou Hsun Hsieh, Yu Chuan Lin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Ni catalysts derived from the carbothermal reduction of nickel phyllosilicate were investigated and their application in the hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA) to γ-valerolactone (GVL) was revealed. The most effective catalyst (S3M1.5@NiPS-600) was prepared by using a sucrose-melamine mixture (molar ratio = 2:1) as the reducing agent with a proper thermal treatment (maintained at 600 °C for 2 h). By using S3M1.5@NiPS-600, a high GVL productivity (1387 mmol GVL/g surface Ni/h), good recyclability (4.9% loss of initial activity in five cycles), and a negligible deactivation rate were observed. The promising outcome was attributed to grafted carbon and nitrogen species on the carbothermally reduced Ni/SiO2 catalyst. Grafted carbon species improve catalyst stability whereas immobilized nitrogen species induce Niδ+ (δ>2) with a strong Lewis acidity. Paired Niδ+ and Ni0 sites are active in the reduction of the ketone group of LA, thereby enhancing the production of GVL.

Original languageEnglish
Article number111720
JournalMolecular Catalysis
Volume523
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022 May

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Catalysis
  • Process Chemistry and Technology
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ni/SiO2 catalysts derived from carbothermal reduction of nickel phyllosilicate in the hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone: The efficacy of nitrogen decoration'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this