Production of liquid fuels from Kraft lignin over bimetallic Ni-Mo supported on ZIF-derived porous carbon catalyst

Non-noble bimetallic NiMo supported on zeolitic imidazolate framework-derived porous carbon (NiMo@FDC) catalyst for lignin depolymerization has been successfully developed. The synergism between Ni and Mo species in NiMo@FDC catalyst could promote the catalytic cleavage of C-O linkages in Kraft lignin. At a low reaction temperature of 240 degrees C and under 4 MPa H-2, the lignin liquefaction yield was 98.85 wt% and minimum coke yield was 1 wt%, particularly when using 10%NiMo@FDC catalyst. Additionally, at a high reaction temperature of 300 degrees C and under 2 MPa H-2, there was an overall yield of 86 wt% of liquid product and 42 wt% of petroleum ether soluble product. The higher heating value (HHV) increased from 27.65 MJ kg(-1) to 34.11 MJ kg(-1). In the cycling experiment, the bifunctional catalyst also demonstrated reversability and stability. The synergy of Ni hydrogenation sites and Mo coupled adsorption sites identified a possible mechanism path, which could offer considerable potential for lignin depolymerization.

Automated summary

A non-noble bimetallic NiMo@FDC catalyst has been successfully developed for lignin depolymerization, showing high catalytic efficiency and stability. The catalyst exhibited high lignin liquefaction yield at low temperature and significant liquid product yield at high temperature, indicating potential for lignin depolymerization.