Selective catalytic conversion of glycerol to lactic acid over Cu-ZnO@C catalysts

Cu-Zn MOF derived Cu-ZnO@C catalysts were developed and investigated for glycerol conversion to lactic acid in nitrogen gas. Full conversion of glycerol with 83.2% of lactic acid selectivity was realized for the Cu-ZnO@C1.4-750 catalyst for 1 h at 220 oC. The Cu-ZnO@C-1.4-750 catalyst could be reused for 5 runs without regeneration treatment and slight deactivation occurs. Various characterization techniques were adopted to characterize the used catalyst. The active sites are verified to be Cu0 and Cu+ species. The high activity and size stability of the Cu-ZnO@C-1.4-750 catalyst are ascribed to highly dispersed Cu0/Cu+ species, proper Cu-ZnO interfaces and C coating.