Enhanced production of γ-valerolactone from levulinic acid hydrogenation-cyclization over ZrxCe1-xO2 based Cu catalysts

The production of high-value renewable fuel and industrial feedstocks from low-value carbon sources is an ongoing scientific challenge. Herein we synthesized bifunctional ZrxCe1-xO2 with different zirconia/ceria (Zr:Ce) ratios ranging from 1 <= x <= 0, were deposition with Cu content and characterized various spectroscopic techniques. Their catalytic performance was investigated in the hydrogenation-cyclization of levulinic acid (LA) to gamma-valerolactone (GVL) in a fixed bed reactor operating at 0.5 MPa, here hydrogen source is formic acid that showed a tremendous interest in the chemical industry. From catalysts characterizations demonstrated that achieve porous structure, enhanced support surface area and increased surface acido-basic sites which should be influenced by the proper zirconia content incorporated into cerium lattice. Interestingly the catalytic performance of different copper loaded catalysts was examined and 3Cu/Zr-0.8-Ge-0.2 showed the highest LA conversion of 88.5% and maximum GVL selectivity to 94.2%. The catalyst stability, reusability and structure-activity relation were also described. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.