Absorption X-ray Spectroscopy for detailed characterization of NiMo catalysts used for biofuel production

Important results from the project

The project intends to use X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to study the oxidation state and structure of a catalyst for the conversion of lignin into renewable fuel. Two types of samples were studied: 1) Industrial samples designed for cracking of lignin and 2) Model systems consisting of nanoparticles, developed to study the catalytic process in situ in the future. Both materials consist of a mixture of Nickel and Molybdenum, in the first case adsorbed on a substrate of Al2O3. The project is a collaboration betweenSunCarbon, RISE and Lund university.

Expected long term effects

Lignin has a large potential as a renewable feedstock for production of value-added chemicals and biofuels. Lignin from the pulp and paper industry could be converted into more valuable products using heterogeneous catalysis. One of the important steps in the production of biofuel from lignin is the catalytic hydrotreatment processes. For this process a NiMo/Al2O3 catalyst have been developed. A key requisite for designing and optimizing the process is to understand the structure of the catalysts itself. For this, LSRI can provide tools.

Approach and implementation

The core of this project is XAS-studies of NiMo-catalysts, performed at BALDER, MAX IV. In addition to XAS-studies, optimization of sample preparation and pre-characterization have been performed. For the determination of the speciation of the NiMo we mainly applied XANES. We produced and characterised two types of materials: an industrial catalyst and engineered nanoparticles. For both types of samples, samples with two different Ni: Mo conditions were analysed. We have also set up and carried out in-situ studies of redox reactions, during heating and in atmospheres of H2 and O2.