Photocatalytic reduction of biomass‐derived aldehydes over Pt‐loaded on NiIn bimetallic oxides under light‐emitting diode lighting at mild conditions

Abstract

Photocatalytic conversion of renewable biomass‐derived aldehydes into high‐valued chemicals is a promising path to meet the growing demand for clean energy and chemical resources. However, the approach still faces challenges, such as limited reaction types and low utilization rates due to the complex functional groups and involved polytropic reaction. In the present work, we developed a catalyst of Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs) supported on a NiO–In2O3 bimetallic oxide (denoted as Pt/NiInOx) for photocatalytic hydrogenation of furfural (FAL) to furfural alcohol (FOL). Owing to the excellent band structure and efficient internal charge transfer on the p–n heterojunction in the catalyst, the highest 99.9% yield to FOL was obtained over the Pt/NiInOx under a light‐emitting diode (LED) light at low temperatures as 273 K. The combination of ·H dissociated from H2 and oxygen vacancy work synergically to adsorb, activate, and converse C=O to the C–O group. The photocatalytic system presents a highly efficient approach for the rapid hydrogenation of biomass‐based aldehydes under a low LED light radiation intensity at a low temperature. The work is expected to serve as an important reference in constructing bimetallic oxide‐supported active metals, enabling efficient separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, and offering oxygen vacancies in various photocatalytic reactions.