Amorphous FeNi–ZrO2-Catalyzed Hydrodeoxygenation of Lignin-Derived Phenolic Compounds to Naphthenic Fuel

To obtain naphthenic fuel from lignin-derived phenolic compounds, an inexpensive amorphous catalyst FeNi–ZrO2 catalyst has been prepared by a cocrystallization method using the pristine Ni(NO3)2, Fe(NO3)3 and Zr(NO3)4 as precursors. The catalyst was characterized systematically and tested by hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) using guaiacol as reactant. The results show that the amorphous FeNi–ZrO2 possesses an excellent texture structure and high catalytic activity. Guaiacol was completely converted with a yield of 98.5% hydrocarbons over the FeNi–ZrO2 catalyst with a content of 24 wt % Fe and 6 wt % Ni. It is found that iron is conducive to weaken the bond of C–O due to its oxygen affinity, promoting an improvement of the catalytic activity. Furthermore, lignin depolymerization products (LDP) were also converted to cycloalkanes with a yield of 48.39 wt %, suggesting that the amorphous FeNi–ZrO2 catalyst has a universal catalytic capacity in the HDO reaction of phenolic compounds.