Hybrid Nanocomposite Comprising Mg–Al Hydrotalcite Nanocrystals on ZSM-5 Zeolite for Production of Renewable Fuel Additives from Furfural

An acido-basic nanocomposite is prepared through the in situ formation and growth of Mg–Al hydrotalcite nanocrystals on a ZSM-5 surface. The metal-functionalized hydrotalcite-ZSM-5 composite has been employed as a catalyst for the single-pot conversion of furfural to ethyl levulinate. The specific morphology of the composite with edge-to-face attachment of hydrotalcite nanocrystals on the ZSM-5 surface confirms the accessibility to the active sites located inside the zeolite pores. The prepared samples are thoroughly characterized using techniques like HR-SEM, HR-TEM, XRD, FTIR, N2 adsorption–desorption, TPD, TPR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, XPS, etc. for a better understanding of the catalyst properties. As high as 76% yield of ethyl levulinate was obtained through the cascaded transfer hydrogenation–alcoholysis reaction using ethanol as a H2 donor. In metal-functionalized hydrotalcite-ZSM-5 composite, metallic sites, basic sites, and acid sites are in close proximity, which act synergistically to exhibit superior catalytic performance.