Anisole Hydrodeoxygenation over Nickel-Based Catalysts: Influences of Solvent and Support Properties

The realization of biofuels and chemicals requires the development highly active selective catalysts, which are resistant to deactivation. A conventional ZSM-5 (SiO2/Al2O3 = 30) was modified with 0.2 M NaOH generate a mesoporous zeolite support. parent zeolite, mic-ZSM-5, hie-ZSM-5, silica support, SiO2, were impregnated 5% nickel characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis nitrogen sorption, scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive (SEM-EDX), transmission (TEM), hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), ammonium desorption (NH3-TPD), thermogravimetric (TGA). influences support properties solvent during hydrodeoxygenation anisole investigated by measuring concentration profiles rates in high-pressure batch reactor. treatment significantly improved pore structure, acidity metal dispersion as well interaction nonframework Ni species and, hence, catalytic activity selectivity. highest conversion 100% obtained 120 min over hie-Ni/ZSM-5 catalyst cyclohexane selectivity 88.1%. In addition, Ni/SiO2 84.5% toluene at 48.9% min; such, it proposed that transformation proceeds via either direct deoxygenation–hydrogenation or isomerization–direct deoxygenation pathway. However, no substantial differences product observed when decalin n-decane compared solvents. reusability test showed most stable three catalysts terms transformation, even though recorded biggest weight loss 9.2% suggesting high resistance carbon Therefore, this very good activity, liquid product, stability, Ni/ZSM-5 is potential candidate for economically beneficial future industrial applications.