The design of high-performance heterogeneous catalysts for the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of biomass-derived platform molecules involves a detailed understanding of the catalyst structure under reaction conditions. Especially for bimetallic catalysts, where surface oxide formation and structural transformation is critical to identifying the active phase governing the HDO performance. In this contribution, an in-house-built operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) cell was utilized to probe highly selective HDO nanocatalysts under reaction conditions for HDO of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Pt-based (Pt-Co and Pt-Ni) and Ni-based (Ni-Cu) nanocatalysts prepared via solvothermal synthesis with well-controlled size, shape and composition have shown superior HDO performance and are thus chosen for this study. With the characterization of operando XAS combined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies and theoretical calculations, the presence of surface oxide layers of transition metal over noble metals or partially oxidized transition metal cores is identified as the active phase of HDO catalysts.

Spectroscopic insights into the origins of selectivity of bimetallic nanocrystal catalysts for hydrodeoxygenation of HMF

2019 Fall National Meeting

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