Selective hydrogenolysis of lignin-derived aryl ethers over Co/C@N catalysts. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Qing-Lu; Zhao, Yun-Peng; Wu, Fa-Peng; Li, Guo-Sheng; Fan, Xing; Wang, Rui-Yu; Cao, Jing-Pei; Wei, Xian-Yong
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 148(2020)
• Page Start: 729
• Page End: 738
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Lignin -- Co/C@N catalyst -- Hydrogenolysis -- Aryl ethers -- C-O bond; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.10.160
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: Low aromaticity and a large number of oxygen-bridged bonds among the aromatic structural units of lignin make it possible to obtain chemicals directly. A novel Co/C@N catalyst with high activity towards hydrogenolysis of lignin-derived aryl ethers was synthesized according to the pyrolysis process of a predesigned ZIF-67. According to the results of characterization by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Co was reduced by the carbonized organic linker of ZIF-67, and N was doped into the carbon skeleton of the catalyst. The effects of holding time, temperature, and initial H2 pressure on the catalytic performance of Co/C@N were evaluated in the selective hydrogenolysis of benzyl phenyl ether (BPE). BPE was completely converted and the selectivity of monomer reached to 98.2% under optimized reaction conditions. The Calk -O bond in BPE was first dissociated to form toluene and phenol, and then phenol was rapidly hydrogenated to form cyclohexanol. Furthermore, the Co/C@N catalyst shows high activity for hydroprocessing and selective cleavage of other lignin-derived aryl ethers, including phenylethyl phenyl, diphenyl ether, dibenzyl ether, dinaphthalene ether, guaiacol, anisole and veratrole. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A novel Co/C@N catalyst was prepared by one-step pyrolysis of ZIF-67. Co/C@N catalyst showed high activity in the hydrogenolysis of benzyl phenyl ether. The selectivity of monomers remained above 92% at temperatures investigated. Calk- O bond in benzyl phenyl ether was first dissociated during hydrogenolysis.