Tuning silica acidity with ammonium fluoride: Boosting iridium catalyst performance in furfural hydrogenation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In this study, amorphous silica was modified with ammonium fluoride to tailor its textural and acidic properties for application as a support in iridium-based catalysts for furfural hydrogenation. The fluorination process led to partial silicon leaching, resulting in increased pore size and volume, enhanced surface acidity, and improved dispersion of iridium species. .Ir-SiO-1.0F demonstrated the highest activity and selectivity among the prepared catalysts due to its favorable porous structure, moderate acidity, and balanced Ir0/Ir4+ ratio. Structural and chemical characterizations were performed using hydrogen chemisorption, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further revealed that the adsorption mode of furfural on the catalyst surface significantly influences product selectivity. The findings provide valuable insights into the design of efficient catalysts for biomass-derived compound conversion.
Source: Applied Materials Today
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,400
OpenAlex ID: W7082447224