Study of Ni-ZSM-5 Catalysts in the Hydrogenolysis of Benzyl Phenyl Ether: Effects of Ni Loading, Morphology, and Reaction Conditions
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide This work investigates the activity of a series of Ni catalysts under a range of reaction conditions for the conversion of a lignin model compound (benzyl phenyl ether) to aromatic compounds. A series of transition metal-based catalysts (Ni-ZSM-5) have been prepared with different metal loadings (5, 10 and 20%) via an excess impregnation method. The materials were characterized using power X-ray diffraction (p-XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) confirming the formation of a set of dispersed, metallic and spherical nanoparticles on all materials. On a 10% Ni-ZSM-5 material, the formation of a set of nanoparticles with a tetrahedral shape was noted. The materials were applied in the cleavage of the ether bond of a lignin model compound (benzyl phenyl ether) via hydrogenolysis in a range of organic solvents (1-butanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and pentane) and under two different atmospheres (H 2 and Ar). 2-Propanol was shown to be the optimal solvent for the reaction confirming its propensity to act as a H-transfer material and the morphology of the supported nanoparticles was shown to have an important effect on the reactivity of the catalysts.
Source: ACS Omega
Institution: University College Dublin
Language: English
Topic: Lignin and Wood Chemistry
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,935
OpenAlex ID: W4408508819