Molecular Interaction of Levulinic Acid with Ni/Silica Catalysts

The increasing impact of fossil fuel consumption on climate change has highlighted the urgent need for sustainable energy alternatives, including converting biomass into valuable chemicals. Levulinic acid (LA), a platform chemical derived from lignocellulosic biomass, is a key precursor for producing biofuels and chemicals like levulinate esters, valeric acid esters, and γ-valerolactone (GVL). Nickel-supported catalysts have shown great promise in LA conversion due to nickel's cost-effectiveness and catalytic activity in hydrogenation reactions. In this study, silica and mesoporous silica derived from geothermal sludge are utilized as supports for nickel catalysts, offering both sustainable waste valorization and enhanced catalyst performance. To gain a deeper understanding of the catalytic conversion process, we propose using Inelastic Neutron Scattering (INS) to investigate molecular interactions between LA and the catalyst. By examining changes in vibrational spectra, particularly those associated with the C=O stretching of LA and Ni-H bond formation, this study aims to optimize catalyst composition and improve reaction efficiency. These molecular insights are crucial for advancing the development of highly efficient and selective catalysts.