A novel surface modification approach for synthesizing supported nickel phosphide catalysts with high activity for hydrodeoxygenation of benzofuran

•A novelmodificationapproachfor preparing a highly active Ni2P is proposed.•The catalyst was modified with oxygen, no pre-treatment of the catalyst is needed.•The Ni2Ppreparation step issimplified and therefore energy-efficient.•The O-free products yield of Ni2P-O/MCM-41 improved by 60% compared toNi2P-N/MCM-41.