Hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol over Pt-Ga-mesoporous catalysts

The hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of guaiacol as model compound has been studied in a batch reactor over SBA-15 and Ga-SBA-15 supported platinum catalysts at 12 atm of H2 and different temperatures. Gallium incorporation as heteroatom into the mesoporous siliceous framework modified the nature of the support generating Brønsted acidity. The catalysts were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, N2 isotherms, XPS, TPR, CO chemisorptions, Py FTIR and TEM. Good structure, narrow pore size distribution and high platinum dispersion were achieved in the synthesized catalysts. The catalysts were very active in the conversion of guaiacol at 200 °C, almost complete conversion was obtained in 3 h of reaction. Mild acidity generated by gallium incorporation enhanced the dispersion of platinum active species and improve the HDO ratio.