Catalytic upgrading of lignin derived bio-oil model compound using mesoporous solid catalysts

The catalytic upgrading of a lignin-derived bio-oil model compound, the hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol, was performed using mesoporous solid catalysts. Platinum supported on silica and mesoporous silica (SBA-15 and KIT-6) were used as catalysts. The level of platinum incorporation and aluminum grafting did not alter the physical properties of the supports, such as surface area and pore size distribution. On the other hand, these treatments drastically affected the catalytic activities. A catalyst with platinum alone converted guaiacol to oxygenate compounds. In contrast, a series of catalysts with both platinum incorporation and aluminum grafting enhanced hydrodeoxygenation by converting guaiacol into hydrocarbons (cyclohexane and benzene). A comparison of the catalyst supports revealed the ordered mesoporous silica, SBA-15 and KIT-6, with high surface area, to have a higher hydrocarbon yield than conventional silica.