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Abstract The use of γ‐Al2O3‐supported Ni catalysts promoted with either Cu or Fe was investigated for the reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) of hybrid poplar in methanol at 200 and 250 °C. The effectiveness of lignin depolymerization was quantified in terms of the lignin oil production, the quantity and distribution of identifiable monomers present in the lignin oil, and the yield of residual solids. All of the Ni‐based catalysts tested provided improved yields of lignin oil and monomers, along with reduced char formation, relative to blank (sans catalyst) runs. The highest monomer yield of 51 % was obtained at 250 °C over a 20 wt.% Ni‐5 wt.% Cu/Al2O3catalyst, the improved performance obtained through Cu promotion being attributed to the ability of Cu to facilitate NiO reduction, resulting in an increased amount of Ni0on the catalyst surface and, consequently, improved hydrogenation activity. The main monomers formed were propanol‐, propyl‐ and propenyl‐substituted guaiacol and syringol, the S/G ratio of the products corresponding closely to that in the native lignin.
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This content will become publicly available on March 1, 2026
Comparative performance of Fe‐ MOx / SiO2 (M = V, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo) and FeOx / SiO2 catalysts in reductive liquefaction of switchgrass in ethanol
Abstract The catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass under a hydrogen atmosphere is a promising technology to produce stable biocrude oil as a sustainable alternative to petroleum crude. A series of iron‐based non‐noble mix metal‐oxide‐on‐silica catalysts were evaluated to mimic the natural transformation that may have led to the conversion of terrestrial biomass to fossilized fuels. Switchgrass powder was liquefied to a stable bio‐oil with a 71.2% yield by using FeOx/SiO2catalyst in ethanol under a 5.5 MPa hydrogen atmosphere at 210 °C. The use of Fe‐MOx/SiO2(M = V, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Mo) type bimetallic oxide catalysts instead of FeOx/SiO2can produce improvements in liquefaction yields by using Mn, Co, Ni, and Cu as the second metal. The highest liquefaction yield of 78.8% was observed with the Fe‐CuOx/SiO2catalyst. Liquefaction oils were formed that were composed of complex mixtures of C6‐C12 alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and phenols. The lignin products:holocellulose products ratio changed in the range 0.35 to 0.15 and the composition of oils changed significantly with the use of mixed metal oxides in place of single metal FeOx/SiO2The most effective catalyst, Fe‐CuOx/SiO2could be reused in five cycles with a small loss in liquefaction yield from 78.8% to 70.0% after four reuse cycles and after regeneration of the catalyst at 500 °C for 3 h in air.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1914692
- PAR ID:
- 10599433
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining
- Volume:
- 19
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 1932-104X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 409 to 419
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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