Polyhedron-like Co-embedded carbon catalyst derived from ZIF-67 by surface confinement pyrolysis strategy for upgrading of ethyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone

Polyhedron-like Co-embedded carbon catalyst was constructed through a P123-assisted surface-confinement pyrolysis strategy using ZIF-67 as precursor in the present studies. The introduction of P123 resulted in a homogeneously distributed hierarchical pore structure of the catalyst, modulated the composition of different valence Co species and limited the agglomeration of cobalt nanoparticles, which improves the hydrogenation and dehydration ability of the catalyst, and thus endow it robust activity and long-term durability in conversion of ethyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone (Yield ≥98%, well stability for no less than 7 runs). The present work may supply a novel strategy for synthesis of polyhedron-like carbon materials for the transformation of biomass-plate molecular in the range hydrogenation.