Preparation of metal-organic framework-derived bifunctional catalysts for efficient one-pot synthesis of bio-jet fuel.

Abstract

The one-pot conversion of biomass derivatives into bio-jet fuels through coupled aldol condensation and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) is an extremely challenging process. In this study, a series of metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived Ni2P-5@C-X bifunctional catalysts were prepared via the integration of phosphorization with three types of modified N-incorporation strategies, in-situ urea doping, 2-aminoterephthalic acid ligand incorporation, and ethylenediamine grafting. These catalysts were evaluated for the one-pot aldol condensation-HDO of furfural and acetone toward achieving efficient bio-jet fuel synthesis, with the ethylenediamine-grafted Ni2P-5@C-E catalyst exhibiting the best performance and affording a target alkanes yield as high as 86 %. Moreover, Ni2P-5@C-E maintained robust catalytic activity even after five reaction cycles, attributed to the effects of ethylenediamine grafting and Ni2P introduction. Specifically, ethylenediamine provides basic sites that promote aldol condensation, and the electron transfer from Ni to P and the P-OH groups in the Ni2P phase provide additional Lewis acid and Brønsted acid sites. Ultimately, the collective effect of these active sites promotes both carbon chain extension and deep HDO concurrently. Thus, this study presents a novel strategy for designing highly efficient MOF-derived bifunctional catalysts for the of bio-jet fuel synthesis.