Selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol over bimetallic Cu-Ni catalysts supported on γ-Al2O3

Abstract

A series of Cu or Ni monometallic and Cu-Ni bimetallic catalysts supported on γ-Al2O3 were synthesized by incipient wetness impregnation method. X-ray diffraction results exhibited the formation of bimetallic Cu-Ni phase in the reduced Cu-Ni(1:1)/γ-Al2O3 catalyst. Among the catalyst examined for hydrogenolysis of glycerol, bimetallic catalysts exhibited higher catalytic activity than monometallic catalysts due to synergetic effect of Cu-Ni bimetal. Cu-Ni(1:1)/γ-Al2O3 catalyst displayed a maximum glycerol conversion of 71.6% with 92.8% selectivity to 1,2-propanediol at 210 °C and 4.5 MPa hydrogen pressure. The superior performance of Cu-Ni(1:1)/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was attributed to the formation of bimetallic Cu-Ni phase, high active metal surface area, small Cu-Ni particle size, and high acidic strength of the catalyst. Stability and reusability of Cu.Ni(1:1)/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was performed and detailed characterization results of fresh and used catalysts suggested that bimetallic Cu-Ni phase remained stable after reuses.