Synthesis of Pd/Sodium Titanate Catalysts for HDO Reaction of Phenol

Abstract

The ecological disequilibrium caused by climate change resulting from the emission of greenhouse gases has substantially deteriorated the quality of life on our planet. To restore it, it is necessary to look for alternate sources of more eco-friendly liquid fuels. The pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass is a source alternative; however, the bio-oil generated contains many oxygen heteroatoms that decrease its calorific content. Therefore, highly efficient catalyst synthesis for the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of oxygenated compounds is vital. Here we report the synthesis of catalysts for the HDO of phenol by dispersing Pd nanoparticles on sodium titanate nanostructures and by heteroassembly of Pd with carbon nitride foil from impregnation with urea. This catalyst reported high catalytic efficiency, transforming 100% of the phenol into cyclohexanone and benzene, unlike the other conventionally prepared catalysts, where only 70% of the phenol was transformed into cyclohexanol, cyclohexene, and hexane.