Liquid phase hydrodeoxygenation of furfural over laponite supported NiPMoS nanocatalyst: Effect of phosphorus addition and laponite support

Unsupported and laponite supported NiPMoS catalysts were prepared under the hydrothermal method and investigated for liquid-phase hydrodeoxygenation of furfural in a high-pressure batch reactor at 423 K - 463 K under 20 bar H-2 pressure. The reaction significantly produced 94% of furfural conversion with 75% yield of 2-MF on NiPMoS catalyst whereas, NiPMoS/Lap catalyst exhibited 28% of 2-MF yield with complete conversion at 463 K under 20 bar H-2 pressure in toluene solvent. The influence of process parameters such as reaction temperature, reactant volume, catalyst compositions, and hydrogen pressure on furfural conversion and product yield was investigated in detail. The high reactivity and synergetic effect of the NiPMoS catalyst are due to added phosphorus, which has a profound influence on the structure of the catalyst, thereby increasing surface acidity, basicity, hydrogen consumption, and a number of MoS2 fringes and the dispersion of MoS2 on the surface of the support. The catalysts were characterized based on HRTEM, H-2, CO2, and NH3TPD, FT-IR, FT-Raman, DRS UV-Vis, XRD, N-2 -physisorption, and TGA. Recyclability, N-2 -physisorption, and XRD results confirm the stability and practical applicability of the catalyst for industrial applications.

Automated summary

NiPMoS and NiPMoS/Lap catalysts were prepared and investigated for liquid-phase hydrodeoxygenation of furfural, showing high conversion and yield. Various process parameters were studied for their influence on product yield, with the NiPMoS catalyst demonstrating enhanced reactivity due to added phosphorus, impacting catalyst structure and surface properties. Characterization tests confirmed the stability and practical applicability of the catalyst for industrial applications.