Catalytic conversion of glucose into sorbitol over niobium oxide supported Ru catalysts

• Published in: Molecular catalysis 2021-05, Vol.507, p.111567, Article 111567
• Main Authors: Silva, Jordan Gonzaga Andrade Batista, Santos, Ronaldo Costa, Rodríguez-Castellón, Enrique, Teixeira, Leonardo Sena Gomes, Pontes, Luiz Antônio Magalhães
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Glucose; Hydrogenation; Niobium oxide; Ruthenium; Sorbitol
• ISSN: 2468-8231; 2468-8231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mcat.2021.111567

[Display omitted] •Ru/Nb2O5 catalysts for hydrogenation of glucose into sorbitol.•Influence of the Nb2O5 phase on the catalytic properties of the Ru/Nb2O5 catalyst.•Application of Ru/Nb2O5 in amorphous and crystalline phases in sorbitol production.•Better glucose conversion and sorbitol selectivity using Ru/Nb2O5 in TT phase.•XPS evidenced higher content of Ru and almost all Ru0 in Nb2O5_C after catalysis. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol of great importance in cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industry as well as the production of biopolymers. This work aimed at the synthesis of sorbitol from the hydrogenation of glucose using Ru/Nb2O5 catalysts in the amorphous and crystalline phases. The catalysts were synthesized from the wet impregnation method and characterized by N2 adsorption isotherms, TGA/DTG, EDXRF, XRD, TPR-H2, XPS and SEM. The catalytic tests presented results of high conversion rates of glucose reaching 85 % and 99 % of selectivity to sorbitol when using Nb2O5 in the crystalline form as support, and 53 % and 55 % in the conversion and selectivity, respectively, when the amorphous phase of Nb2O5 was used as support. The structural modification of the catalytic support positively favored the catalyst activity and sorbitol production, allowing the formation of nanometric particles of the active metal on the surface alongside the increase of the mesoporosity, thereby facilitating the transport of reagents.