Enhancing glycerol hydrogenolysis to n-propanol: Key role of Lewis acid in HZSM-5 supported Cu catalyst

Wenguang Zhou; Zhen Wang; Jirong Long; Ziqi Deng; Yiwei Long; Guozhang Chang; Yong Liu

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131879

Enhancing glycerol hydrogenolysis to n-propanol: Key role of Lewis acid in HZSM-5 supported Cu catalyst

Bioresour Technol. 2024 Nov 25:417:131879. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131879. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Wenguang Zhou¹, Zhen Wang¹, Jirong Long¹, Ziqi Deng¹, Yiwei Long¹, Guozhang Chang², Yong Liu³

Affiliations

¹ School of Resources & Environment and Engineering Research Center of Watershed Carbon Neutrality of Ministry of Education, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Ave, Honggutan District, Nanchang 330047, PR China.
² Institute of Yellow River Delta Earth Surface Process and Ecological Integrity, College of Energy Storage Technology, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, PR China.
³ School of Resources & Environment and Engineering Research Center of Watershed Carbon Neutrality of Ministry of Education, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Ave, Honggutan District, Nanchang 330047, PR China. Electronic address: liuyongncu@ncu.edu.cn.

PMID: 39592074
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131879

Abstract

Glycerol hydrogenolysis to n-propanol (1-PO) represents an approach to realize synthesizing sustainable fuels from biodiesel byproduct. However, it suffers from harsh reaction conditions and noble catalysts. Herein, a simple Cu20/HZSM-5(Si/Al = 120) was fabricated, demonstrating high efficiency under mild conditions for non-noble metal catalysts, achieving a 71.08 % yield of 1-PO and 80.73 % mono-alcohols. The catalyst, characterized by a high density of Lewis acid sites from both CuO and HZSM-5 and a favorable Cu²⁺/Cu^0/1+ ratio, significantly enhances the hydrogenolysis process. Furthermore, it demonstrated superior selectivity for the removal of the secondary -OH group from 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO), which is crucial for high yields of 1-PO. This Cu20/HZ-5(120) catalyst showed significant potential for the efficient and selective conversion of glycerol to 1-PO, presenting a promising approach for the sustainable production of value-added chemicals from glycerol.

Keywords: Cu-based catalyst; Glycerol; Lewis acid; Mono alcohols; N-propanol.