A comparison of Structure–Activity of Cu-Modified Over Different Mesoporous Silica Supports for Catalytic Conversion of Levulinic Acid

Catalytic hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA) to γ-valerolactone (GVL) was investigated over four different types mesoporous silica (SBA-15, MCM-48, MCM-41, and KIT-6) supported copper (5 wt.%) catalysts. The Cu incorporated into supports by a sequential impregnation method. A detailed investigation the support structure–activity correlation performance catalysts in LA conversion studied. Detailed characterisation techniques were used evaluate physical catalytic properties studied structure type physicochemical had significant effect on overall Among them, Cu/SBA-15 catalyst, complete with ~ 98% gamma valerolactone selectivity achieved at 265 °C under ambient H2 pressure. superior catalyst attributed high surface acidity, reducibility oxides species, highly dispersed particles SBA-15 structure. results confirmed that activity is significantly influenced textural properties, acidity dispersion. Durability all also tested for 50 h time stream only small drop observed.