Pt nanoparticles supported on Nb-modified TiO as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the conversion of cellulose to light bioalcohols

Nb-modified anatase-supported Pt nanoparticles were synthesized for the efficient conversion of cellulose to light bioalcohols. Characterization confirmed the presence of SMSIs in the catalysts, offering adjacent hydrogenation sites, Brønsted and Lewis acid sites. Treating the catalysts in humid air enhanced the acidic concentration, accelerating the key step during the reaction. SMSI-introduced Pt/NbTi catalysts with abundant acid sites are very active for the hydrogenolysis of cellulose into light bioalcohols.