Highly selective production of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol from furfural over modified halloysite nanotubes-supported Ni catalysts

Abstract

Efficient and selective hydrogenation of furfural (FA), a biomass-derived platform compound, to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA) is one of the key pathways for high-value utilization of biomass resources. In this study, a highly dispersed nickel-based catalyst supported on halloysite nanotubes (Ni/HNTs-ATC) was developed via synergistic calcination and acid treatment. The catalyst exhibited excellent performance for the full hydrogenation of FA to produce THFA. Using isopropanol as the solvent, complete conversion of FA was achieved within 6 h at 100 °C and 1.5 MPa H₂, with a THFA selectivity of 99.3%. The catalyst was systematically characterized using XRD, XPS, TEM, H₂-TPR, H₂-TPD, and NH₃-TPD techniques. The results revealed that the modified halloysite nanotubes possessed a higher specific surface area, which facilitated the uniform dispersion of Ni nanoparticles. This work provides a new strategy for the rational design of natural mineral-based catalysts and the green conversion of biomass-derived aldehydes.