Hydrogenation of glucose over reduced Ni/Cu/Al hydrotalcite precursors

Ni/Cu/Al hydrotalcite precursors were synthesized by a co-precipitation method. The activity of the reduced precursors for hydrogenation of glucose to sorbitol was tested. The effects of preparation methods and activation treatment on the performance of the obtained catalysts were investigated in detail. XRD and XPS tests provided the essential properties of the precursors and prepared catalysts. The properly high reduction temperature could obviously enhance catalyst activity. The conversion of glucose and selectivity to sorbitol on Ni1.85Cu1Al1.15 catalyst at 398 K were 78.4 and 93.4%, respectively. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.