One-pot catalytic agroforestry waste cellulose to polyols over self-reducing bifunctional catalysts

A series of self-reducing bifunctional catalysts Ni-W/SBA-15 were prepared through reduction of metal oxides by reducing gas produced in the calcination process of bio-carbon source. These catalysts were directly applied to the hydrogenolysis agroforestry waste lignocellulose to low carbon polyols. TG and XRD results showed that when added 3.0 g sucrose into catalysts precursors, reduction of active metal oxides was supreme and Ni particles increased gradually as the further increase of Ni. The tungsten species were amporphous state seen from XRD patterns. The micrographs from SEM showed that the nickel and tungsten species were loaded on SBA-15 surface with a good dispersion and the particles were tiny which was beneficial to promote the reaction. Thus, the transformation of microcellulose was complete and low carbon polyols yield was up to 68.14%. In contrast, the target product yield was 52.66% when the wheat straw as the substrate under the reaction condition of 240°C and 6.0 MPa H2 for 6 h.