The effect of neodymium and yttrium on benzofuran hydrodeoxygenation performance over a bulk Ni2P catalyst

Neodymium (Nd)- or yttrium (Y)- modified bulk Ni2P catalysts (Nd-Ni2P or Y-Ni2P) have been successfully prepared and their catalytic performance in benzofuran hydrodeoxygenation have been investigated. The as-prepared catalysts were characterised by X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption–desorption, CO uptake and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The addition of Nd or Y, especially Nd, can increase the surface area of the catalysts and promote the formation of smaller and more highly dispersed Ni2P particles. The Nd-Ni2P catalyst showed the highest benzofuran hydrodeoxygenation activity of 95.3% and the O-free products yield of 74.6%, which gives an increase of 25.3% and 35.4% when compared with that found for Ni2P.