Investigation on the Structure and Performance of Supported Ni Nanoparticles for the Hydrogenation of Furfural

• Published in: ChemCatChem Vol. 16; no. 20
• Main Authors: Chen, Xiaowei, Alijani, Shahram, Gallarati, Simone, Tessore, Francesca, Jose Delgado, Juan, Gianolio, Diego, Villa, Alberto, Arrigo, Rosa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 21-10-2024
• Subjects: Absorption spectroscopy; Activated carbon; Aluminum oxide; Catalysts; Catalytic converters; Charcoal; Chemical synthesis; Design optimization; Furfural; Furfural hydrogenation; HAADF-STEM; Hydrogenation; Nanoparticles; Ni K edge XANES; Ni nanoparticles; Room temperature; Selectivity
• ISSN: 1867-3880; 1867-3899
• DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202400229

In this study, nickel (Ni) nanoparticles were successfully synthesised using two methods: the hot‐injection method and a room temperature colloidal synthesis using dioctyl tartrate as a capping agent. Each approach yielded Ni nanoparticles with unique morphological and electronic properties. The distinct characteristics of these Ni nanoparticles make them promising candidates for unravelling structure/activity relationships, a crucial aspect in developing catalysts with enhanced selectivity. Furthermore, Ni nanoparticles synthesized via these methods were supported on both silica and activated charcoal, with variations in Ni loadings. We explored the impact of nanostructural characteristic of the Ni NPs as well as support effects on the selective hydrogenation of furfural. Using temperature programmed reduction, advanced X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and atom‐resolved electron microscopy techniques, we established comprehensive structure‐function relationships. Herein, we demonstrate that using a dioctyl tartrate route, foam‐like Ni nanostructures are obtained, yielding higher selectivity towards selective hydrogenation than commercial Ni/Al2O3 and a suppression of the acid‐base catalysed acetalization and etherification reactions. Furthermore, conversions similar to commercial Ni/Al2O3 are achieved using a lower Ni loading. These insights provide valuable guidance for the design of enhanced materials, contributing to the optimization of catalyst performance in selective hydrogenation processes. This research marks a significant step toward the development of more efficient and sustainable catalytic processes.
Two methods have been developed to synthesize Ni nanoparticles with unique morphological and electronic properties. They have been supported on activated charcoal and fumed silica, each displaying distinct metal‐support interactions. The hot‐injection method yields catalysts suitable for the full hydrogenation of furfural, while those synthesized via the dioctyl tartrate route exhibit excellent selectivity for the selective hydrogenation of the aldehyde group of furfural.