Title : Tailoring cu-hydroxyapatite catalysts for hydrogenation of levulinic acid to ?-valerolactone: Impact of copper loading, reaction temperature, and catalyst durability
Abstract:
Synthesis of γ-valerolactone (GVL) from levulinic acid (LA) holds significant importance as a sustainable route for the conversion of biomass-derived feedstocks into valuable chemicals. In this study, Cu-Hydroxyapatite (Cu-HAp) catalysts were investigated for the vapor-phase hydrogenation of LA to GVL. The Cu nanoparticles were supported on the HAp surface to enhance catalytic activity and selectivity. The influence of copper loading, reaction temperature, and catalyst stability was examined. The results revealed that Cu-HAp catalysts exhibited good catalytic performance, with an optimal copper loading of around 5 wt% for maximum LA conversion (60%) and GVL selectivity (90%) for 9 h time on stream at 265 oC. This work facilitating the development of efficient and stable catalyst systems for biomass derived chemical transformations.