A1 Journal article (refereed)
Conversion of furfural to 2-methylfuran over CuNi catalysts supported on biobased carbon foams (2021)

Varila, T., Mäkelä, E., Kupila, R., Romar, H., Hu, T., Karinen, R., Puurunen, R. L., & Lassi, U. (2021). Conversion of furfural to 2-methylfuran over CuNi catalysts supported on biobased carbon foams. Catalysis Today, 367, 16-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2020.10.027

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Varila, Toni; Mäkelä, Eveliina; Kupila, Riikka; Romar, Henrik; Hu, Tao; Karinen, Reetta; Puurunen, Riikka L.; Lassi, Ulla

Journal or series: Catalysis Today

ISSN: 0920-5861

eISSN: 1873-4308

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 367

Pages range: 16-27

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: Netherlands

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2020.10.027

Publication open access: Other way freely accessible online

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/75035

Abstract

In this study, carbon foams prepared from the by-products of the Finnish forest industry, such as tannic acid and pine bark extracts, were examined as supports for 5/5% Cu/Ni catalysts in the hydrotreatment of furfural to 2-methylfuran (MF). Experiments were conducted in a batch reactor at 503 K and 40 bar H2. Prior to metal impregnation, the carbon foam from tannic acid was activated with steam (S1), and the carbon foam from pine bark extracts was activated with ZnCl2 (S2) and washed with acids (HNO3 or H2SO4). For comparison, a spruce-based activated carbon (AC) catalyst and two commercial AC catalysts as references were investigated. Compressive strength of the foam S2 was 30 times greater than that of S1. The highest MF selectivity of the foam-supported catalysts was 48 % (S2, washed with HNO3) at a conversion of 91 %. According to the results, carbon foams prepared from pine bark extracts can be applied as catalyst supports.

Keywords: catalysis; catalysts; copper; nickel; foams; biochar; by-products

Free keywords: biobased foams; carbon; mechanical strength; furfural; Cu/Ni catalyst; 2-methylfuran

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1