Selective hydrogenation of furfural to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol over Ni/CNTs and bimetallic CuNi/CNTs catalysts

• Ni/CNT and CuNi/CNT were applied in liquid-phase hydrogenation of furfural.
• Bimetallic CuNi catalysts exhibit 90.3% yield towards THFA at mild conditions.
• These catalysts can be used in processes for upgrading other bio-oils components.

A series of Ni, Cu and bimetallic CuNi catalysts with different metals loadings supported on CNTs were prepared by impregnation methods for liquid-phase hydrogenation of furfural to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA). Various effects of reaction parameters such as, reaction temperature, reaction time, hydrogen pressure, different supports and different loading amount of Ni over both monometallic and bimetallic catalysts were fully studied. Among the catalysts investigated, 10 wt% Ni/CNT and bimetallic CuNi catalysts showed high conversion of furfural and selectivity towards THFA. Bimetallic CuNi catalysts exhibit the best catalytic performance of 100% conversion of furfural and up to 90.3% selectivity towards THFA at mild condition of 130 °C, 40 bar hydrogen and 10 h reaction time. CuNi bimetallic synergistic effect has been interpreted through XPS measurement and a possible hydrogen-transfer mechanism is proposed. The features of the CNTs supported catalysts were investigated via XRD, XPS, TEM, H2-TPR and the N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms. The Ni and bimetallic CuNi catalysts prepared in this work is inexpensive and simple, which makes them a promising candidate for the conversion of furfural to THFA.