Selectivity of Bio-oils Catalytic Hydrotreatment Assessed by Petroleomic and GC*GC/MS-FID Analysis

We propose to assess the selectivity of hydrotreatment catalysts by two complementary analytical methods: (1) high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS), called “petroleomic” analysis, by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT ICR, 9.4T) MS for species heavier than m/z of about 200 Da and (2) quantitative GC*GC (heart-cutting)/MS-flame ionization detector (FID) analysis of lighter species. The methodology is illustrated on methanol-soluble bio-oils produced by lignin pyrolysis and hydrotreated by iron-based catalysts. GC*GC analysis is calibrated by a combination of internal standard and prediction of response factors on the FID. Laser desorption ionization (LDI) and electro spray ionization (ESI) in negative-ion mode are combined for the petroleomic analysis. The selectivity of hydrotreatment (catalytic fixed bed, 1 atm, 400 °C) is assessed as a function of catalyst loads and iron support (silica and activated carbon). Hundreds of species are analyzed by GC*GC and petroleomic and mapped in Van Krevele...