CuNi[at]C catalysts with high activity derived from metal-organic frameworks precursor for conversion of furfural to cyclopentanone

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2016-09, Vol.299, p.104-111
• Main Authors: Wang, Yuan, Sang, Shengya, Zhu, Wei, Gao, Lijing, Xiao, Guomin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Catalysis; Catalysts; Conversion; Copper; Furfural; Metal-organic frameworks; Nickel
• ISSN: 1385-8947
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2016.04.068

CuNi bimetallic nanoparticles embedded in carbon matrix (CuNi[at]C) were synthesized and applied in the selective conversion of biomass-derived furfural to cyclopentanone. The catalysts were prepared directly from thermolysis of Cu-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) impregnated with nickel nitrate. Compared with traditional precipitation method, relatively high surface area (91.6 m super(2)/g) and nano-sized (about 15 nm) metallic copper and nickel particles can be obtained when molar ratio of nickel to copper was 0.5. Furthermore, the porous carbon matrix can not only act as a supporter but prevent the accumulation of metal particles. By varying the molar ratio of nickel to copper, CuNi sub(0.5)C shows best catalytic performance (99.3% conversion of furfural and 96.9% yield of cyclopentanone) at optimum conditions (130 degree C, 5 h, 5 MPa) attributed to the above mentioned properties. In addition, the CuNi sub(0.5)C can be reused four times with good activity and stability. Hence, current work presents a new and facile method to prepare CuNi bimetallic catalysts which has a brilliant performance in catalytic conversion of furfural to cyclopentanone.