High performance of Mo-promoted Ir/SiO2 catalysts combined with HZSM-5 toward the conversion of cellulose to C5/C6 alkanes

Abstract In this study, the Mo-promoted Ir/SiO2 (Ir-MoOx/SiO2) catalysts combined with the zeolite HZSM-5 were used for the direct conversion of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) to liquid fuel (C5/C6 alkanes) in n-dodecane/H2O system. A synergistic effect was formed between the partially reduced MoOx species and the Ir particles, which effectively promoted the catalytic activity of Ir/SiO2 catalyst. When the Mo/Ir molar ratio was 0.5, a high yield of C5/C6 alkanes (91.7%) was achieved at 210 ℃ for 12 h. In addition, the main component of C5/C6 alkanes was n-hexane, which was proven to be obtained by the hydrogenolysis of the key intermediate, sorbitol, formed from the hydrolysis and hydrogenation of MCC.