Synergistic effects of WO3 and NiCu bimetals for the One-Pot conversion of cellulose into ethylene glycol. (1st June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Xiaoli; Li, Zelin; Guo, Mingyu; Zhao, Tao; Su, Xiong; Jiang, Wei; Han, Guangting; Ben, Haoxi
• Is Part Of: Fuel. Volume 341(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-06-01
• Subjects: Cellulose conversion -- Ethylene glycol -- Synergistic effect -- Interfacial sites -- Sequence reactions; Fuel -- Periodicals; Coal -- Periodicals; Coal; Fuel; Periodicals; 662.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2023.127560
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-2361

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: A high total diols selectivity of 83.9% was obtained, in which EG selectivity was 58.9%. The NiCu-WOx-1 -O(H) interfaces facilitated the transformation of glucose into glycolaldehyde. The appropriate amount of NiCu alloy and WO3 ensured an excellent synergistic effect for CC cleavage and hydrogenation. The structure of WO3 -wrapped metals enabled the reaction to proceed in a well-defined sequence. Abstract: One-pot catalytic conversion of cellulose to ethylene glycol (EG) provides an efficient way toward the production of high value-added chemicals from the abundant biomass resource. However, control of product selectivity is a challenge due to the thermal instabilities of cellulose derived sugars. Here, a series of multifunctional NiCu/WO3 catalysts were prepared and applied to this process. By tuning the metal ratio and WO3 content, a high EG selectivity of 58.9% was obtained. The selectivity of total diols even reached 83.9%. Besides, the catalyst revealed excellent performance in the conversion of raw biomass. Characterization results showed that the special catalyst structure of WO3 -wrapped metal particles enabled the reaction to proceed in a well-defined sequence and also facilitated the formation of NiCu-WOx-1 -O(H) interfacial sites. These interfacial sites offered high activity for the CC bond cleavage to produce glycolaldehyde from glucose. An appropriate amount of each active site ensured a well-synergistic effect of CC cleavage and hydrogenation capabilities, thus resulting in the highly selective formation of EG.