Magnetically separable Ru-based nano-catalyst for the hydrogenation/hydro-deoxygenation of lignin-derived platform chemicals

Abstract

A facile and replicable stepwise chemical method was explored to synthesise magnetically separable Ru-based nanocatalyst. Structural investigation revealed that nanocatalyst is a hierarchical multiphase nanocomposite, consisting of highly magnetic Fe3C (and Fe) nanoparticles, distributed within a high-surface-area graphitic carbonaceous matrix, uniformly decorated with superiorly active catalytic ruthenium nanoparticles and clusters. The nanocatalyst showed an improved catalytic activity and selectivity for the hydro-deoxygenation of bio-resource-related compound eugenol when compared to the commercial Ru/C. In combination with ultrafast magnetic separation, it holds a good emerging potential in the valorisation of renewable resources and recycling of noble metals.

Keywords

• Catalyst
• ruthenium
• biomass
• microkinetic
• magnetic separation