Effect of Au on Pd supported over HMS and Ti doped HMS as catalysts for the hydrogenation of levulinic acid to gamma-valerolactone

The effect of different supports, silica HMS and Ti doped silica HMS, on the catalytic performance of mono (Pd) and bimetallic (Pd-Au, Pd-Re) catalysts, containing 2 wt% of each metal, for the hydrogenation of levulinic acid in water was studied. The catalytic behavior of the materials was evaluated in terms of conversion of the starting levulinic acid and selectivity to gamma-valerolactone. The surface and structural properties of the catalysts were investigated by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) performed on fresh and spent materials. A synergic effect of Au and Ti on Pd sample was observed with the consequent formation of a PdTi alloy responsible of the good performance of the catalyst. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.