Yue Wang

Selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde over Pt nanoparticles deposited on reduced graphene oxide

The selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde was investigated with Pt nanoparticles deposited on reduced graphene oxide (Pt/RGO). Compared with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or activated carbon (AC) as support, Pt/RGO showed the best activity and selectivity for the hydrogenation of CO bond.

Highly efficient conversion of biomass-derived levulinic acid into γ-valerolactone over Ni/MgO catalyst

Hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA) was investigated with several supported Ni catalysts for the production of γ-valerolactone (GVL). The catalysts have been characterized with different techniques (XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption, TPR, ICP-AES, TEM). Under optimal reaction conditions of 150 °C, 1.0 MPa and 20 mL i-PrOH for 2 h, the highest selectivity (93.3%) of GVL was obtained. The productivity reached 0.32 molGVL gmetal−1 h−1, which was highest compared with all reported Ni-based catalysts.

Quenched skeletal Ni as the effective catalyst for selective partial hydrogenation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Quenched skeletal Ni is an active and selective catalyst for selective partial hydrogenation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The molecular structure of PAHs significantly dominate the hydrogenation process and furthermore, the distribution of hydrogenated products.

Catalytic Conversion of Biomass-derived Levulinic Acid into Alcohols over Nanoporous Ru Catalyst

Several Ru-based catalysts were employed for the hydrogenation of levulinic acid and nanoporous Ru showed attractive catalytic performance for alcohols production. It was found that the total yield of 2-butanol and 2-pentanol was 78.8% and the yield of 1,4-pentadiol was 74.6%, respectively acquired at 140 °C and 100 °C using H2O as the solvent. Thanks to its acid site and lattice plane, nanoporous Ru provided sites for activating the lactone group of GVL and C–C/C–O bonds of PDO.