Ni/CeO2 as catalyst for glycerol hydrogenolysis without external H2 supply: the role of synthesis conditions

Abstract

Aqueous phase processes at high pressure are considered one of the most promising thermochemical processes to valorize wet residual streams, in order to produce value-added chemicals. Among them, glycerol hidrogenolysis (HG) has been intensely studied. Although many different catalytic systems for HG have been studied in the last years, the Ni/CeO₂ catalytic system has not been so deeply performed in liquid phase. 

This work studies the hydrogenolysis of glycerol without external H₂ supply as a pathway to obtain value-added chemicals using Ni/CeO₂ catalysts. Different synthesis parameters were changed, in order to determine their influence on the catalytic activity. In this process, 1,2–propanediol and ethylene glycol are produced, compounds which are valuable due to their use in chemical synthesis, antifreeze fluids, and others.