The 6th International Conference on Biomass Energy (ICBE2018)

330 / 2018-07-29 20:40:43

Production of Biomass-derived γ-Valerolactone over Robust Mg-doping Cu-based Catalyst Using MeOH as In-situ Hydrogen Source

Plenary track > C. Liquid Biofuel

-Valerolactone (GVL) is a versatile biomass-derived platform molecule, but the production of GVL from biomass by a cost-competitive way is still challenging. In this contribution, a facile two-step strategy for the production of GVL from cellulose through the integration of methyl levulinate (ML) production by methanolysis of cellulose, H2 formation by MeOH reforming and ML hydrogenation in MeOH system. Cu-Mg oxide catalysts could serve as bifunctional catalysts for both MeOH reforming and ML hydrocyclization, offering a GVL yield up to 90.6% over Cu0.87Mg0.13Ox at 220 ºC in 4 h. The doping of MgO greatly facilitates the stabilization of Cu+ species that possess better catalytic performance in ML hydrogenation compared to metallic Cu. Unexpectedly, Cu0.87Mg0.13Ox could be reused for at least seven consecutive cycles without loss of its activity. Notably, Cu0.87Mg0.13Ox also displayed acceptable catalytic performance in the methanolysis products of cellulose even in the presence of humins.