10.1002/cssc.201500053
The research focuses on the development and evaluation of a Pd/Nb2O5/SiO2 catalyst for the direct hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of biomass-derived compounds into liquid alkanes under mild conditions. The study involves the conversion of model compounds such as 4-(2-furyl)-3-buten-2-one (derived from furfural and acetone), palmitic acid, tristearin, and diphenyl ether, which represent microalgae oils, vegetable oils, and lignin, respectively. The experiments utilize a Pd-loaded Nb2O5/SiO2 catalyst prepared via a sol-gel method, aiming to achieve high yields of alkanes with minimal C-C bond cleavage. The catalyst's performance is assessed through batch reactions in a stainless-steel autoclave under controlled temperature (170°C) and pressure (2.5 MPa H2), with product analysis conducted using GC-MS to quantify the liquid products against an internal standard. The research also includes characterization of the catalyst using techniques like XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, TEM, and EDAX atomic mapping to understand its structure and active sites. The study demonstrates that the Pd/10%Nb2O5/SiO2 catalyst is highly effective, achieving over 94% yield of alkanes under the specified mild conditions, and exhibits excellent stability and activity, making it a promising candidate for biomass conversion to liquid alkanes.
