Publications

2026

• Ni-NbO_x Bifunctional Catalysts for Selective Hydrodeoxygenation of m-Cresol to Toluene
  
  • Abreu Teles Camila
  • Ciotonea Carmen
  • Palacio Ruben
  • Lopez Diana
  • Royer Sébastien
  • Richard Frédéric
  Molecular Catalysis, Elsevier [2017, vol. 427-....], 2026, 588, pp.115516. The catalytic performances of a series of Ni supported on mesoporous silica (SBA-15) and niobia, as well as Ni-NbO_x dispersed on SBA-15 were evaluated for the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of m-cresol at 300 °C under atmospheric pressure. Under the reaction conditions, hydrogenation and C-C hydrogenolysis pathways yielding only oxygenated products dominated over the monometallic Ni catalyst. In contrast, the Direct DeOxygenation pathway (DDO) leading to toluene was significantly promoted when Ni was in contact with oxophilic NbO_x surface. Tuning the Ni-Nb ratio on silica revealed a remarkable enhancement of the DDO rate constant. Indeed, the kinetic rate constant determined over 5Ni5Nb/SBA was about 11 times higher than that measured on the catalyst containing only the Ni phase. This enhanced performance can be attributed to the formation of well-dispersed Ni-NbO_x interfacial sites, where the hydrogenation capability of Ni associate with the oxophilic character of Nb⁵⁺/Nb⁴⁺ species allowing to a more efficient activation of the C-O bonding and promoting the DDO reaction pathway. These results offer valuable insights for the rational design of selective catalysts for the transformation of lignin-derived bio-oils into aromatic hydrocarbons. (10.1016/j.mcat.2025.115516)
  DOI : 10.1016/j.mcat.2025.115516