Vapour Phase Hydrogenation of Levulinic Acid Over Carbon Coated HZSM-5 Supported Ni Catalysts

Mohan Varkolu; Burri David Raju; Kamaraju Seetha Rama Rao

Abstract

Carbon coated HZSM-5 supported Ni catalyst shown to be a promising catalyst in the hydrogenation of levulinic acid to yield γ- valerolactone. Physicochemical characterizations were undertaken using N2 physisorption, H2-chemisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), CHNS and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) techniques. The CHNS studies reveal about 3 wt% carbon was coated by the passage of cyclohexene at 600 °C for 3 h. The carbon coated HZSM-5 supported Ni catalyst shown lower catalytic performance compared to HZSM-5 supported Ni catalyst. Furthermore, the enhanced stability of the carbon coated HZSM-5 supported Ni catalyst during the time on stream mainly due to decline of Bronsted acidity by the carbon coating of HZSM-5. Keywords: Carbon coated HZSM-5, Ni catalyst, hydrogenation, levulinic acid, γ- valerolactone