Hydrolytic hydrogenation of cellulose over Ni-WO3/SBA-15 catalysts

Series of non-precious metal catalysts Ni-WO3/SBA-15 were prepared by means of incipient impregnation and applied to the hydrogenolysis of cellulose in aqueous solution. The effect of reaction temperature on the hydrolysis and morphology of cellulose, and the influence of Ni, WO3 loading on the conversion of cellulose were investigated. High crystalline cellulose was transformed gradually into amorphous state with the increase of reaction temperature. H2 temperature program reduction of the catalyst proved that a strong interaction existed between nickel and tungsten trioxide, which enhanced the ability of tungsten species to the cleavage of C-C bond and the activity of hydrogenation of nickel. Thus, the transformation of cellulose into ethylene glycol was strengthened markedly. The complete conversion of cellulose and 70.7% ethylene glycol yield were obtained over a 3% Ni-15% WO3/SBA-15 catalyst under the reaction condition of 230°C and 6.0 MPa H2 for 6.0 h.