Vapor Phase Hydrogenolysis of Furanics Utilizing Reduced Cobalt Mixed Metal Oxide Catalysts

Vapor phase hydrogenolysis of both furfuryl alcohol and furfural are investigated over reduced Co based mixed metal oxides derived from the calcination of a layered double hydroxide precursor. Although a reduced cobalt-aluminum oxide sample displays promising selectivity towards 2-methylfuran (2-MF) production, the addition of an Fe dopant into the oxide matrix significantly enhances the activity and selectivity per gram of catalyst. Approximately 82 % 2-MF yield is achieved at high conversion if furfuryl alcohol is fed into the reactor at 180 °C over the reduced 3Co-0.25Fe-0.75Al catalyst. Based on structural characterization studies including temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) it is suggested that Fe facilitates the reduction of Co, allowing for formation of more metallic species. Overall, this study demonstrates that non-precious metal catalysts offer promise for the selective conversion of a key biomass oxygenate to a proposed fuel additive.