Liquid phase hydrogenation of d-glucose to d-sorbitol over the catalyst (Ru/NiO–TiO2) of ruthenium on a NiO-modified TiO2 support

The catalyst of ruthenium (Ru) on a new class of NiO-modified TiO2 support material, that is, Ru/(NiO–TiO2) was employed especially for selective hydrogenation of d-glucose to d-sorbitol. The modification of the TiO2 support was carried out with a nickel precursor by a simple impregnation method. After calcinations, the stable NiO-modified TiO2 support was re-impregnated with ruthenium (III) chloride hydrate aqueous solution. An additive effect of NiO in its corresponding catalyst of ruthenium on a NiO-modified TiO2 support exhibits the enhancement in the selectivity to d-sorbitol by minimizing the d-fructose and d-mannitol. To develop our understanding for the activity of the catalysts, the hydrogenation of d-glucose was investigated with the effect of (1.0 wt.% and 5.0 wt.%) ruthenium loading and (2.0–10 wt.%) NiO loading followed by the pretreatment of the catalysts. The reaction condition was optimized by varying the concentrations of d-glucose (from 10 to 30 wt.%) and temperatures (from 90 °C to 120 °C) to reach up to the highest product selectivity to d-sorbitol. These catalysts were characterized by using energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and CO chemisorption.

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► The preparation of a new class of NiO-modified TiO2 support material with nickel precursor.
► The catalyst of ruthenium on a NiO-modified TiO2 support is prepared by simple impregnation method.
► Liquid phase hydrogenation of d-glucose to d-sorbitol over the catalyst Ru/(NiO–TiO2).
► Catalyst Ru/(NiO–TiO2) shows high conversion, yield and the selectivity to d-sorbitol.