Unveiling the role of Ni-Re catalyst on diverse supports for efficient hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone under near atmospheric H2 pressure
Issued Date
2026-02-01
Resource Type
ISSN
09619534
eISSN
18732909
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105020781534
Journal Title
Biomass and Bioenergy
Volume
205
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Biomass and Bioenergy Vol.205 (2026)
Suggested Citation
Lakhani P., Kliengklao K., Pratchayakul C., Sakdee R., Ratchahat S., Sakdaronnarong C., Koo-amornpattana W., Limphirat W., Assabumrungrat S., Srifa A. Unveiling the role of Ni-Re catalyst on diverse supports for efficient hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone under near atmospheric H2 pressure. Biomass and Bioenergy Vol.205 (2026). doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2025.108563 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/114604
Title
Unveiling the role of Ni-Re catalyst on diverse supports for efficient hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone under near atmospheric H2 pressure
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Abstract
The catalytic hydrogenation of levulinic acid to the important biomass-derived platform chemical γ-valerolactone was examined systematically under near-atmospheric H<inf>2</inf> pressure using a set of bimetallic Ni-Re catalysts supported on TiO<inf>2</inf>, MCM-41, Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>, ZSM-5, and MgAl hydrotalcite. Catalysts were prepared by an incipient wetness impregnation and were thoroughly characterized by comprehensive methods. Among the catalysts studied, Ni-Re/MgAl performed the best with 100 % conversion of LA and 95 % yield of GVL at 200 °C, 2 h, and 1 bar H<inf>2</inf>. The enhanced catalytic performance was ascribed to the combined effect of Re and Ni metals together with the distinctive properties of the MgAl support, which facilitated H<inf>2</inf> adsorption capacity, strengthened metal-support interactions, and provided significant acidity. Systematic kinetic studies asserted pseudo-first-order kinetics with the maximum rate constant (k = 0.0119 min<sup>−1</sup>) for Ni-Re/MgAl. The impact of support properties on reducibility of metals, acidity, particle size, and reaction mechanism was described. The catalyst demonstrated very high activity under low-hydrogen pressure. The results validate the key role played by the support–metal interaction in maximizing bifunctional catalytic systems towards the valorization of biomass under mild conditions.