Coconut biochar as a potential support for the synthesis of bimetallic catalysts and their activity in furfural conversion to furfuryl alcohol Academic Article in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • © 2019 ETA-Florence Renewable Energies.Pyrolytic solid, also called biochar, is a potential support for catalyst synthesis and a more sustainable choice. Furthermore, it provides a mean to obtain a highly valuable material by characterizing and modifying it in order to develop desirable properties for catalytic applications instead of using it directly for soil remediation. Biochar was obtained from pyrolysis of coconut shells performed from room temperature up to 500 °C in an inert environment. Biochar was collected, grinded and sieved (<250¿m), and later dried at 60 °C in order to characterize this material to know the initial properties, and later realize chemical and physical treatment to develop textural properties and acidity. The treated and untreated biochar was characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis (CHNSO), SEM and nitrogen physorption before and after catalysts synthesis by incipient wetness impregnation. Bimetallic Ni-Cu catalysts with different biochar were studied and the preliminary catalytic performance was evaluated in the conversion of furfural, obtaining furfuryl alcohol under mild conditions.

publication date

  • January 1, 2019