Ni/TiO2 Catalysts for Liquid-Phase Hydrogenation of Levulinic Acid to ?-Valerolactone

?-Valerolactone (GVL) is a valuable and targeted biomass derivate used as a precursor in the production of liquid fuels and polymeric materials. It also finds application as a green solvent. However, the economic viability of GVL is dependent on its production cost from biomass, which relies heavily on the price and efficiency of the catalyst used in the hydrogenation process during levulinic acid (LA) conversion to GVL. Herein we show a catalyst with potential industrial applications for the conversion of LA to GVL. The catalyst is comprised of 35 wt.% Ni deposited onto TiO2. Characterization was undertaken by XRD, N2 physisorption and TPR analysis. The crystalline structure, surface area and porosity of the catalyst are similar to the TiO2 support showing catalyst stability during and after activation. TPR analysis showed that Ni is reduced around 350 °C. The catalytic reaction was performed in a batch reactor under mild conditions (aq), 175 °C, 450 Psi H2 whereby the catalyst was able to convert ˜ 80 % of LA, producing 76 % GVL. The reaction kinetics are presented and based on the Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW) rate equation.