Efficient one-pot conversion of cellulose to sorbitol over Ni-based carbon catalysts with embedment structure

The solid catalyst for one-pot hydrolysis hydrogenation of cellulose with remarkable activity and stability has aroused increasing attention. Herein, a highly active and stable Ni based bimetallic carbon catalyst with embedment structure was prepared by a facile one-pot thermal reduction method with assistant of ethylene glycol dispersant. The effects of the metal precursor, dispersant, and noble metal doping were systematically addressed. The bimetallic Ni-Ru@MC exhibited higher catalytic capability in sorbitol production from ball -milled cellulose with yield of 67.8 % at 200 degrees C within 3 h, in comparison with the traditional metal sup-ported catalysts such as Ru/MC and Ni/MC. The various characterization techniques revealed that the superior catalytic performance of Ni-Ru@MC was associated with its mesoporous structure with large surface area, small metal nanoparticles embedded in carbon, and especially a reasonable match between mild acidity and improved hydrogenation activity of catalyst. Significantly, after five consecutive cycles, the catalyst still maintained the similar metal content and the catalytic ability to fresh catalyst, owing to its distinctive embedment structure and helpful Ru doping.