Glycerol hydrogenolysis over a Pt-Ni bimetallic catalyst with hydrogen generated in situ

Using hydrogen generated in situ from aqueous phase reforming provides an efficient and economic route for glycerol hydrogenolysis. A Pt-Ni bimetallic catalyst supported on γ-Al 2 O 3 has been prepared to catalyze the selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol, with glycerol conversion reaching 71.4% in 3 h. The significant promotion of conversion and selectivity could be explained by the formation of Pt-Ni alloy based on catalyst characterization. The effects of Pt/Ni ratio, reaction temperature and reaction time on the conversion of glycerol as well as product selectivity were also investigated. Pt-Ni catalyst significantly promotes the conversion and selectivity of 1,2-PDO due to a strong interaction between Pt and Ni.