Design of Nickel Supported on Water-Tolerant Nb₂O₅ Catalysts for the Hydrotreating of Lignin Streams Obtained from Lignin-First Biorefining.

ABSTRACT: In biomass conversion, Nb₂O₅ has attracted increasing attention as a catalyst support presenting water-tolerant Lewis acid sites. Herein, we address the design of Ni/Nb₂O₅ catalysts for hydrotreating of lignin to hydrocarbons. To optimize the balance between acidic and hydrogenating properties, the catalysts were first evaluated in the hydrotreating of diphenyl ether. The best catalyst candidate was further explored in the conversion of lignin oil obtained by catalytic upstream biorefining of poplar. As primary products, cycloalkanes were obtained, demonstrating the potential of Ni/Nb₂O₅ catalysts for the lignin-to-fuels route. However, the Lewis acidity of Nb₂O₅ also catalyzes coke formation via lignin

SUBMITTER: Leal GF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6532020 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature