Catalytic performance of zinc-supported copper and nickel catalysts in the glycerol hydrogenolysis

Gas-phase catalytic conversion of glycerol to value added chemicals was investigated over zinc-supported copper and nickel catalysts. The addition of aluminum in the support was also investigated in glycerol conversion and the results indicate an increase in the acidity and adsorption capacity for both copper and nickel catalysts. HRTEM and XRD analysis revealed NiZn alloy formation in the Ni/ZnO catalyst. The XRD patterns of the prepared ZnAl mixed oxide catalysts show the presence of Gahanite phase (ZnAl2O4). In addition, H2 chemisorption and TPR results suggest a strong metal-support interactions (SMSI) effect between Ni and ZnO particles. Bare supports ZnO and ZnAl (Zn/Al = 0.5) were investigated in the glycerol conversion and they did not present activity. Copper supported on ZnO and ZnAl mixed oxide (Zn/Al = 0.5) was active towards hydroxyacetone formation. Nickel was active in the hydrogenolysis of glycerol both for C–C and C–O bonds cleavage of glycerol producing CH4. Strong metal-support interactions (SMSI) between Ni and ZnO has a remarkable suppression effect on the methanation activity during the glycerol conversion.