Direct Hydrogenolysis of Cellulose to Methane Utilizing Rare‐Earth Promoted Nickel Catalysts

Cellulose is one of the main components plant matter, which makes it a viable target for biomass conversion to fuels. The direct cellulose methane utilizing nickel-based catalysts often has challenges associated with it. Carbon agglomeration creating nickel-carbon nanoparticles deactivating catalytic hydrogenation been well reported. Utilizing rare-earth metals as promoters increases methane, albeit deactivation catalyst in form nickel-rare-earth-carbon nanoparticles. Adding an additional zinc metal promoter eliminates carbon and allows increased yields. Herein, we report 81 % yield from 48 hours Ni/Zn/Y/Al2O3 at 225 °C under 50 bar H2 pressure.