Co-metal induced stabilization of alumina-supported copper: impact on the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol

The effect of Ba, Ce, Cs and La as co-metals in Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for the hydrogenolysis of glycerol into 1,2-propanediol was investigated at industrially relevant reaction conditions over time. The addition of Ba or Ce increased the initial activity per Cu0 accessible site. Apart from Cs, the co-metals increased the selectivity towards 1,2-propanediol, up to 96% (Ba). The co-metals inhibited sintering and stabilized the Cu particle size during reaction, by decreasing the particle growth by a factor of 10. Overall, co-metals mainly influenced the selectivity and stabilized the Cu particle. [Display omitted] •Ba-, Ce-, Cs- and La-doping stabilized the Cu0 particle size during the reaction.•Doping with Ba, Ce or Cs preserved the initial glycerol conversion.•Comparable 1,2-propanediol productivities to commercial catalyst wwas achieved under continuous liquid flow operation.•A selectivity of 96% for 1,2-propanediol was achieved with the Ba-doped catalyst.