Surface Synergetic Effects of Ni–ReO<sub><i>x</i></sub> for Promoting the Mild Hydrogenation of Furfural to Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol
Wei Lin, Yi Chen, Yuexing Zhang, Yuexing Zhang, Yongsheng Zhang, Yongsheng Zhang, Jianshe Wang, Liucheng Wang, Chunbao Xu, Renfeng Nie
Abstract
Ni–ReO x bimetallic catalysts (Ni–ReO x /TiO 2 ) were prepared through a successive impregnation method, which is extremely active in furfural (FAL) hydrogenation to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFOL) under mild reaction conditions. For instance, high FAL initial reaction rate (439.4 mmol/g -Ni /h) and THFOL formation rate (80.4 mmol/g -Ni /h) were achieved over Ni–5ReO x /TiO 2, which are 13.2 and 6.6 times higher than those of Ni/TiO 2, respectively. The unique catalyst reactivity derives from rich Lewis acidic ReO x and intimate electron interaction of ReO x with Ni NPs. Kinetic studies reveal that ReO x decoration decreases the activation barrier of −C═O hydrogenation other than the furan ring. Mechanism studies show that ReO x has a good affinity for C═O and H 2 and favors hydrogen spillover and C═O bond activation on Ni, thus reinforcing the synergistic effect of Ni and ReO x . This catalyst is versatile for various furan aldehydes and is relatively stable for 5 times recycling, showing relative potential for industrial application.