Studies on the conversion of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol over Ru-based catalyst under mild conditions

The effects of support in Ru-supported catalyst on the conversion of glycerol and selectivity of 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) were investigated in the hydrogenolysis of glycerol. The Ru-based catalysts were prepared by solid phase crystallization and impregnation methods in order to improve 1,2-PDO selectivity. The prepared catalysts were characterized by N2 physisorption, CO chemisorption, XRD, TPR, NH3-TPD and TEM techniques. The catalytic hydrogenation of glycerol was investigated at 453 K, initial H2 pressure of 2.5 MPa and 20 wt% glycerol aqueous solution for 18 h. It was found that the 5 wt% Ru–CaZnMg/Al catalyst prepared by the solid phase crystallization and impregnation methods showed higher catalytic performance than the other catalysts. The glycerol conversion and 1,2-PDO selectivity obtained were 50% and 85%, respectively. It was found that the selectivity of 1,2-PDO increased with the acidity of catalyst.

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► Glycerol conversion to 1,2-PDO over Ru-based catalyst were investigated.
► 5 wt% Ru-CaZnMg/Al catalyst showed higher catalytic performance than the other catalyst.
► The glycerol conversion and selectivity obtained were 50% and 85% respectively.
► It was found that the selectivity of 1,2-PDO increased with the acidity of catalyst.