Ni/Al2O3 Catalysts Derived from Layered Double Hydroxide and Their Applications in Hydrodeoxygenation of Anisole

The catalytic performance of Ni/Al2O3 catalysts derived from layered double hydroxide precursors with nickel ions incorporated into the brucite-like layers was investigated for the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of anisole as a model compound of the lignin. Upon calcination and subsequent reduction, the well-crystallized phase and highly dispersed Ni nanoparticles (3 similar to 10 nm) on the support were obtained. The catalysts exhibited high activity toward the hydrogenolysis of C-O bonds and the hydrogenation saturation of aromatic ring at low temperature (200-280 degrees C) and appropriate hydrogen pressure (2 MPa). The activity and selectivity of these two main reaction pathways of anisole conversion were independent of the Ni content. And the direct cleavage of C-aromatic-O bond of anisole forming benzene as another parallel pathway prevails at increasing temperature. In addition, the catalysts are highly resistant to coking and easy to be reactivated by the utilization of the layered double hydroxide precursors.