Ru Nanoparticles on a Sulfonated Carbon Layer Coated SBA-15 for Catalytic Hydrogenation of Furfural into 1, 4-pentanediol

Furfural (FFR) is one of the most important biomass-derived chemicals. Its large-scale availability calls for the exploration of new transformation methods for further valorization. Herein, we demonstrate that Ru nanoparticles (Ru NPs)-supported on a sulfonated carbon layer coated SBA-15 can be employed as an efficient bi-functional catalyst for one step conversion of FFR into 1,4-pentanediol (1,4-PeDO). The optimum bi-functional catalyst can afford the full the conversion of FFR and 86% selectivity to 1,4-PeDO. The catalysts have been characterized thoroughly by using a complementary combination of powder X-ray diffraction, N 2 adsorption–desorption, scanning/transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The characterization revealed that acidic groups (–SO 3 H) have been introduced on the surface of the carbon layer coated SBA-15 support after sulfonation with 98% H 2 SO 4 and the surface acidity can be tuned facilely by the sulfonating time. Meantime, Ru(0) sites was highly dispersed via an impregnation and sequential reduction and directly adjacent to the surface –SO 3 H group. There existed an electronic interaction between Ru(0) sites and sulfonic groups, in which the electronic transfer from sulfonic sites to Ru(0) sites occurred. Brönsted acid sites (–SO 3 H) have a significant influence on the FFR conversion and the selectivity to 1,4-PeDO. The ordered mesoporous structure, the appropriate density of acid sites and the electron-rich Ru(0) sites accounted for the the excellent performance of the catalyst for an efficient production of 1,4-PeDO from FFR. Graphic Abstract