Carbon supported Ru-Ni bimetallic catalysts for the enhanced one-pot conversion of cellulose to sorbitol

Abstract

Ru and Ni mono- and bimetallic catalysts were prepared by impregnation of two different supports (activated carbon and carbon nanotubes) and were characterized by TPR, TEM and N-2 adsorption at -196 degrees C. The prepared Ru mono- and bimetallic catalysts were highly efficient for the hydrolytic hydrogenation of cellulose to sorbitol. Regardless of the support used, when nickel was incorporated into the supported ruthenium catalyst a promoting effect was observed, with an increase in both conversion and selectivity to sorbitol, which was explained by the interaction between both metals. Yields of sorbitol around 50-60% were achieved after 5 h of reaction when using Ru-Ni/AC and Ru-Ni/CNT as catalysts. Moreover, a yield of sorbitol over 70% could be reached in just 1 h of reaction if the Ru-Ni catalysts were ball-milled together with cellulose.