High-Loaded Copper-Containing Sol-Gel Catalysts for Furfural Hydroconversion

Area of Science:

• Catalysis
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Furfural hydroconversion is a key process for producing valuable chemicals.
• Copper-based catalysts are widely explored for furfural conversion.
• Enhancing catalyst activity and selectivity remains a critical research objective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and investigate high-loaded copper-containing catalysts modified with Fe and Al for furfural hydroconversion.
• To correlate catalyst physicochemical properties with their performance in producing furfuryl alcohol (FA) and 2-methylfuran (2-MF).
• To optimize reaction conditions for selective furfural conversion.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of Fe and Al modified copper-containing catalysts supported on amorphous SiO₂.
• Characterization of synthesized catalysts using various techniques to determine physicochemical properties.
• Evaluation of catalytic performance in a batch reactor under high hydrogen pressure for furfural hydroconversion.

Main Results:

• Fine Cu-containing particles dispersed in a high-surface-area amorphous SiO₂ matrix facilitate furfural conversion.
• Modification with Fe and Al significantly enhances the activity and selectivity of the copper catalyst.
• The 35Cu13Fe1Al-SiO₂ catalyst achieved 98% selectivity to FA at 100 °C and 76% selectivity to 2-MF at 250 °C under 5.0 MPa H₂ pressure.

Conclusions:

• Fe and Al modified copper-silica catalysts are effective for furfural hydroconversion.
• Catalyst composition and reaction temperature are crucial for controlling product selectivity.
• Optimized catalysts offer a promising route for selective production of FA and 2-MF.