Biomass-derived furfural conversion over Ni/CNT catalysts at the interface of water-oil emulsion droplets

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes-supported Ni catalysts were investigated for the hydrogenation of furfural as a biomass-derived furanic model compound at the liquid-liquid interface of Pickering emulsions in a batch reactor at 200 degrees C and 2.0 MPa of H-2 pressure. The catalysts were characterized by N-2 physisorption, He-TPD/MS, NH3-TPD/MS, TEM, CO chemisorption, H-2-TPR, contact angle and optical/fluorescent microscopy. It was found that an increase of surface oxygen groups allows for the formation of amphiphilic particles. The amphiphilic 10%Ni/CNTox particles were homogeneous dispersed at the water-oil interface of the emulsion droplets thus enhancing the catalytic activity in furfural conversion.