A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Isoeugenol hydrodeoxygenation over sustainable biochar-supported cobalt catalysts: Synergistic Co0/Co2+sites and mechanistic insights
Authors: Longo, Lilia; Murzin, Dmitry Yu.; Baldassin, Davide; Mäki-Arvela, Päivi; Wärnå, Johan; Peuronen, Anssi; Huš, Matej; Likozar, Blaž; Aho, Atte; Klimov, Mark E. Martinez; Yevdokimova, Olha; Eränen, Kari; Lastusaari, Mika; Signoretto, Michela
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental
Article number: 126194
Volume: 384
ISSN: 0926-3373
eISSN: 1873-3883
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.126194
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.126194
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/506136498
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY NC ND
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
This work demonstrates the potential of low-cost cobalt catalysts supported on activated biochars from biomass on the hydrodeoxygenation of isoeugenol, bio-oil model compound for the production of sustainable aviation fuels. Co/biochar catalysts were obtained by pyrolysis and steam activation of rice husk, leather waste, and their mixture, followed by metal impregnation, calcination, and reduction. Compared to Co/AC, (commercial active carbon), Co/A-RH, (rice husk biochar), exhibited competitive isoeugenol conversion to propylcyclohexane (PCH) at 300 °C, 30 bar, 4 h, with a higher initial rate (r0PCH = 0.38 vs 0.34 mmol/min gCo), but lower PCH yield (55 % vs 75 %), due to hydrocracking. By kinetic modeling, the activation energy for PCH formation was determined to be 151 kJ/mol. Comprehensive characterization revealed that Co0-Co2+ synergy enhances HDO performance. DFT calculations provided mechanistic insight into the HDO pathways, which were consistent with the experimentally derived reaction network, and kinetic model.
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Funding information in the publication:
The financial support from the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency through core funding (P2–0152), infrastructure funding (I0–0039), travel fund (BI-FIN/25–27–011) and project funding (J7–4638, N2–0316) is greatly appreciated. The research was (co-)funded under the HyBReED project, supported by the European Union – NextGenerationEU. The MIUR (Italian ministry for education, university and research) is gratefully acknowledged for the financial support (doctoral scholarships) of the inter-university Ph.D. program of University of Trieste and University Ca’ Foscari Venice.
