Ni − Promoted Cu/ZSM-5 for selective hydrodeoxygenation of furfural to produce 2 − Methylfuran

•Ni − Cu/ZSM − 5 prepared by impregnation is used for HDO of furfural to 2 − methylfuran.•Ni − Cu bimetallic sites favor tilted adsorption orientation of furfural.•Ni addition in Cu promote adsorption of furfural and H2 thus accelerate conversion.•Acid sites of zeolite facilitates scission of C − O in intermediate furfuryl alcohol.