Effect of Ni addition on the performance of Pd/TiO₂ catalyst in the conversion of guaiacol

It has been agreed that lignin from lignocellulosic materials can be used as a source to produce aromatics. In this report, guaiacol, as a model compound for lignin, was used as a reactant for the catalytic transfer hydrodeoxygenation using 2-propanol as a solvent and hydrogen donor during the reaction. The effects of Ni addition on Pd/TiO₂ catalyst in the reaction was studied. The amount of Ni was varied (5, 10, 15 wt.%) to understand the effects in the catalytic reaction. Prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, TEM, and NH3-TPD. The reaction was performed in an autoclave batch reactor at 250 °C for 1 hour under pressurized He gas (30 bar). After catalyst separation, the liquid products were then analyzed using GC-MS and GC-FID. It was found that the conversion of guaiacol was increased by Ni addition on the catalyst.