Effect of the Support Functionalization of Mono- and Bimetallic Ni/Co Supported on Graphene in Hydrodeoxygenation of Guaiacol

Mono- and bimetallic Ni/Co catalysts were prepared over reduced graphene oxide undoped and doped with N and evaluated in the hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol in a batch reactor. Catalysts were characterized by N2 physisorption, CO chemisorption, XRD, TEM, TPR, and XPS. Results showed that catalytic activity was improved in all the cases by doping with N. Such enhancement was ascribed to electron transfer from the support to the metal particles. In the case of bimetallic catalysts, measured activity was improved, which can be ascribed to a synergistic effect between Ni and Co. Such an effect was stronger over the unmodified graphene than the one modified by N. The product distribution was unaffected by the support but differed from the respective monometallic catalysts suggesting the formation of new active sites.