Studies on continuous selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol over supported Cu-Co bimetallic catalysts

Copper-cobalt supported on alumina catalysts were made and screened for continuous hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol at atmospheric pressure. BET surface area, temperature-programmed reduction, X-ray diffraction, pulse N2O chemisorption, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques were used to derive catalysts characteristics. The presence of Co in Cu/alumina significantly increased the reducibility of CuO species and also metallic Cu surface area. The catalyst with 10%Cu-7%Co on Al2O3 afforded complete glycerol conversion with 77% selectivity to 1,2-propanediol. The catalysts activity was mainly owing to the existence of Cu in highly dispersed state with high metal surface area and synergistic interaction between Cu-Co moieties. The reaction parameters influence was screened and best possible parameters were provided. The most active catalyst showed high stability during time on stream analysis.