Tuning the synthesis pH and composition of Cu hydrotalcites for hydrogenolysis of glycerol

Different hydrotalcites were synthesized by coprecipitation, replacing the Mg2+ ion by Cu, CuCo, and CuZn via two methodologies: at a constant pH of 10 and at changing pH. The solids were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). The activity of the solids as catalysts was evaluated by the hydrogenolysis of glycerol. The Co-containing catalysts had fewer acid sites, which possibly decreased the glycerol conversion. The CuZn catalyst prepared at constant pH was the most active under the conditions tested, achieving 38.56% conversion and 61.57% selectivity towards 1,2-propanediol.