In-Situ-Prepared Nanocopper-Catalyzed Hydrogenation-Liquefaction of Biomass in a Glycerol-Methanol Solvent for Biofuel Production

摘要

Hydrothermal or alcoholysis liquefaction are common pathways to produce biofuel in mild reaction conditions. However, the application was limited by the reliance of corrosive acid and base catalysts and high-cost hydrogen donors. In this research, in-situ-prepared nano-Cu was employed for the first time as a methanol decomposition catalyst in a glycerol-methanol-water solvent to generate hydrogen in situ for the hydrogenation-liquefaction of Miscanthus. Methanol was effectively decomposed to H_2, CO, and CO_2 by the catalysis of Cu. The percentage of conversion of biomass into liquid product was over 90% at 350 ℃ for 4 h. Bio-oil with main components, including alcohols, esters, ethers, alkyl phenolics, and other glycerol-derived molecules, were obtained. This strategy also showed an excellent liquefaction capacity when other woody and herbaceous biomasses were selected as feedstock.