Selective hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol to phenol over CoFe/reduced graphene oxide

A reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-supported CoFe bimetallic catalyst (CoFe/rGO) was synthesized and used for hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol to phenol (Ph). The CoFe/rGO catalyst without reduction pretreatment showed excellent catalytic performance, achieving 94.0 mol% conversion and 70.8 mol% selectivity to Ph at mild reaction temperature and low H2 pressure. The microstructure and chemical composition of the CoFe/rGO catalyst were characterized by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and H2 temperatureprogrammed reduction (H2-TPR) characterization analysis. Co and Fe are supported on rGO in forms of the isolated metal atoms embedded in the rGO matrix and the CoFe oxide nanoparticles attached on rGO surface. Fe as a promoter weakens the hydrogenation activity of Co to benzene ring and dramatically improves the selectivity to Ph. The unique of rGO on constructing catalytic active sites and the synergistic effect of Co and Fe bimetals make CoFe/rGO an excellent catalyst.