Enhanced Hydrogenation of Cyclohexanone: A Multi‐ Scale Investigation Into Noncatalytic and Catalytic Pathways Towards Sustainable Conversion
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Date
2025-11-14
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Abstract
The selective hydrogenation of oxygenated compounds is crucial for the conversion of biocrude into platform chemicals. However, the
presence of stable oxygenated species, cyclohexanone, in biocrude limits possess a challenge for easy conversion process. This study
aims to investigate both Noncatalytic and catalytic hydrogenation of cyclohexanone as a model compound to understand its trans-
formation pathways. Monometallic and trimetallic catalysts supported of biochar were developed using impregnation method and
characterized via SEM‐EDS, FTIR, BET, NH3‐TPD, XPS and TEM to correlate structural features with catalytic performance. In
supercritical ethanol condition at 350°C, Zn‐supported biochar promoted aromatization (4.65 area%), Ce‐supported biochar achieved
the highest ketone conversion (83.20 area%), and Ni‐supported biochar exhibited the highest hydrocarbon selectivity (18.27 area%). The
performance of Ni and Ce during the hydrogenation of cyclohexanone model compound resulted in the development of NiCeMo‐
biochar catalyst for the application towards the upgrading of real‐life biocrude. The NiCeMo catalyst depicts the presence of Ni2+
, Ce3+
/
Ce4+ and Mo4+
/Mo6+ which promotes the hydrogen generation and activation and the formation of oxygen vacancy. The catalyst
showed optimal performance at 350°C and 2 h, achieving 95.95% ketone conversion with accompanying heavier alcohols in the absence
of an external hydrogen supply, demonstrating its potential as hydrogenation catalyst
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 7 ; Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 9 ; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 12 ; Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13 ; Climate Action
Keywords
heterogeneous catalyst, hydrogenation, platform chemicals, supercritical fluids, sustainable fuels, thermochemical conversion