Abstract
The synthesis of fuel-range molecules by condensation of biomass-derived furfural and acetone has been studied in a biphasic emulsion system. Nanohybrids composed of basic oxide nanoparticles fused to carbon nanotubes have been used to simultaneously stabilize water/oil emulsions and catalyze the condensation reaction. Under the same conditions, higher conversions and higher fractions of fuel-range condensation products (C8-C13) have been obtained in the emulsion compared to those obtained in the single phase. Furthermore, when using metallized nanohybrids these emulsions have been used to hydrogenate the oil-soluble condensation products. Both model compounds and synthetic bio-oil mixtures have been used to demonstrate that catalytic emulsion systems could be effective for upgrading complex mixtures, such as pyrolysis oil.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 38-52 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Topics in catalysis |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Aldol-condensation
- Bio-oil
- Carbon nanotubes
- Emulsion
- Hydrogenation
- Hydrophobic and hydrophilic catalysts
- Nanohybrids
- Oxygenates
- Pyrolysis oil