| Title | Direct Catalytic Transformation of Biomass Derivatives into Biofuel Component γ-Valerolactone with Magnetic Nickel-Zirconium Nanoparticles |
| Author | Li, Hu |
| Publication | CHEMPLUSCHEM |
| Year | 2016 |
| Volume | 81 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Corresponding Author | Fang, Z |
| Abstract | A series of mixed oxide nanoparticles were prepared by a coprecipitation method and characterized by many techniques. Nickel-zirconium oxide catalysts and their partially reduced magnetic counterparts were highly efficient in the direct transformation of biomass derivatives, including ethyl levulinate, fructose, glucose, cellobiose, and carboxymethyl cellulose, into -valerolactone (GVL) without the use of an external hydrogen source, producing a maximum GVL yield of 95.2% at 200 degrees C for 3h with hydrogen-reduced magnetic Zr5Ni5 nanoparticles (<20nm). The acid-base bifunctionality of these nanocatalysts plays a synergic role in the synthesis of GVL in alcohols, whereas appropriate control of the nickel/zirconium molar ratio is able to improve the selectivity towards GVL (approximate to 98%), along with high formation rates (up to 54.9mmolg(-1)h(-1)). Moreover, the magnetic Zr5Ni5 nanoparticles were conveniently recovered by means of a magnet for five cycles with almost constant activity. |
