Vapor-phase hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol using a chromium-free Ni-Cu-SiO2 nanocomposite catalyst

A Ni-Cu-SiO₂ nanocomposite was studied as a catalyst for vapor-phase glycerol hydrogenation to produce 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO). Substitution of a small amount (3 wt%) of Ni for Cu is beneficial for decreasing the Cu particle size, which would be advantageous for attaining higher 1,2-PDO selectivity and higher glycerol conversion. 92% 1,2-PDO selectivity and 100% glycerol conversion were obtained at 220 °C, 30 bar, and a weight hourly space velocity of 0.5 h^− 1 over Ni(3)-Cu(77)-SiO_2, which were nearly identical to those obtained with the conventional copper chromite (CuO-Cr₂O₃) catalyst. Therefore, the present Ni(3)-Cu(77)-SiO₂ nanocomposite is regarded as a green and efficient catalyst for glycerol conversion into more valuable 1,2-PDO.