Tailored Nickel‐Tungsten Interface on ZSM‐5as a Bi‐functional Catalyst for the Single‐Pot Conversion of Furfural to Renewable Alkyl Levulinates

Abstract

AbstractA single–pot conversion of furfural (FAL) to alkyl levulinates (AL) without using molecular hydrogen has been studied over ZSM‐5‐based Ni−W bimetallic catalysts. The metal‐metal and metal‐support interactions in the bi‐metallic catalyst are tailored by adopting appropriate synthesis protocol to conceive the superior catalytic performance. Insights on the structural properties and structure‐properties relationship of catalyst is described using the data obtained through various characterization techniques like FTIR, XRD, NH3‐TPD, H2‐TPR, TEM, UV‐Vis, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalyst synthesis method is observed to influence catalyst properties and catalytic activity strongly. The present study indicates the formation of Ni−W bimetallic interface enhances the catalytic performance towards AL formation. However, the probability of interface formation is mainly governed by synthesis protocol. The study highlights the importance of selecting a suitable synthesis route to achieve desirable catalyst properties for obtaining enhanced catalytic performance. The Ni/W@ZSM‐5 catalyst developed in the present study exhibited excellent catalytic performance towards the production of various ALs from FAL using primary and secondary alcohols as source of hydrogen as well as reactant.