Pd Nanoparticles Decorated CeZrOx for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogenation of Biomass-Derived Compounds

Abstract

The photocatalytic conversion of biomass-derived compounds into value-added chemicals presents a promising protocol for the sustainable production of renewable chemicals. Our study explores the hydrogenation of biomass model compounds under visible light illumination. Zr was incorporated into the CeO₂ framework, forming a CeZrOx(1:0.5) solid solution, confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The light uptake capacity of the CeZrOx solid solution was characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy. Additionally, the band structure of the CeZrOx solid solution was assessed using valance band X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (VB-XPS) and Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) analysis, revealing a Z-Scheme, which was further confirmed by various control experiments. Upon decorating the CeZrOx(1:0.5) solid solution with 1 wt% palladium (Pd), the resulting 1Pd/CeZrOx(1:0.5) composite exhibited improved charge separation and enhanced visible light absorption capacity. This composite achieved ∼99% conversion of furfural to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol under a 15 W blue LED illumination and 0.2 MPa hydrogen. Similarly, it demonstrated ∼99% conversion of benzyl phenyl ether (BPE) to toluene and phenol under a 10 W blue LED illumination. Our findings elucidate the active sites and demonstrate the recyclability of mixed metal oxides for selective furfural hydrogenation and BPE hydrogenolysis under visible light.