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Esterification of oleic acid to biodiesel catalyzed by a highly acidic carbonaceous catalyst

Carbonaceous acid catalyst with high acid content was synthesized by metal (Zr) ion chelation and sulfonation of sodium carboxymethylcellulose. It catalyzed the esterification of oleic acid, with biodiesel yield > 99% at 40-90 ^oC (activation energy of 24.7 KJ/mol). (在低温下通过两步法合成的碳基固体酸Zr-SO₃H@CMC表面酸度为8.45 mmol/g，可以在40-90 ^oC催化油酸酯化获得> 99%的生物柴油产率；在90 ^oC，催化剂循环10次，生物柴油的产率仍> 87%。)

 Recently, Miss Yi-Tong Wang (PhD student from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences) supervised by Prof. Zhen FANG synthesized carbonaceous catalyst by a two-step method at low temperatures. It had high total acid content (8.45 mmol/g) for oleic acid esterification with high biodiesel yields (> 99%) at 40-90 oC. Under conditions of 90 oC, 20/1 methanol/oleic acid molar ratio, 5 wt% catalyst and 2 h reaction time, biodiesel yield of > 87% was achieved after 10 cycles of use. At lower temperatures (40, 50 and 60 oC), biodiesel yield still reached 82 %, 93 % and 90 % after 3 cycles, respectively. The high activity of Zr-SO3H@CMC benefited from low activation energy of 24.7 KJ/mol. It shows potential application for esterification of free fatty acids or pretreatment of oils with high acid value for the green production of biodiesel
The results were published:
YT Wang, Zhen Fang*, F Zhang, Esterification of Oleic Acid to Biodiesel Catalyzed by a Highly Acidic Carbonaceous Catalyst, Catalysis Today, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2018.06.041,  (2018).

碳基固体酸性催化剂酯化油酸制备生物柴油

最近，王一同（女）同学（中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园博士研究生，现华北理工大学教师）在方老师的指导下，通过两步法合成了碳基固体酸性催化剂，并应用于油酸酯化制备生物柴油。该研究通过简易的两步法合成高活性的具有多酸位点的碳基固体酸性催化剂，其酸度为8.45 mmol/g，可以在40-90 oC催化油酸酯化获得> 99%的生物柴油产率。在反应条件：90 oC，20/1的醇油摩尔比，5 wt%的催化剂量和2 h反应时间，催化剂循环10次，生物柴油的产率仍> 87%。在低温40-60 oC，其循环3次，生物柴油的产率分别为82 %, 93 % 和 90 %。催化剂低的活化能（24.7 KJ/mol）决定其高的活性。该催化剂在生物柴油绿色生产（酯化油酸和高酸值油脂预处理）展示非常好的应用前景。

结果发表在Catalysis Today: Yi-Tong Wang, Zhen Fang*, F Zhang，Esterification of Oleic Acid to Biodiesel Catalyzed by a Highly Acidic Carbonaceous Catalyst, Catalysis Today (Q1, IF 4.6), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2018.06.041,  (2018).

Catalytic conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to some value-added derivatives

Recently, Dr. X. Kong and Prof Zhen Fang, collaborated with Profs. IS Butler (McGill, Montreal) and JA Kozinski (New Model Institute – Hereford University, UK), published a critical review paper in Green Chemistry about 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) for biofuels and chemicals. HMF is a platform chemical derived from C6 sugars, which can be transformed into various important chemicals and fuels because of the presence of C=O, C-O and furan ring functional groups. In this review, the selective tailoring of these groups in HMF to form 2,5-dimethylfuran, 2,5-dihydromethylfuran, 2,5-dihydromethyltetrahydrofuran, 5-ethoxymethylfurfural, 1,6-hexanediol, long-chain alkanes, 3-(hydroxy-methyl)cyclopentanone, p-xylene, 2,5-diformylfuran, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and maleic anhydride will be described to gain more insight into its transformations under various conditions. The focus of the review is on the mechanisms of the catalytic processes and potential design strategies for future catalysts. The activation of the functional groups and the key challenges involved in the precise design of bifunctional catalysts are highlighted. Some examples of “one-pot” transformations of fructose to various chemicals using the HMF platform are also presented.

Related results were published:

1. X Kong, YF Zhu, Zhen Fang*, JA Kozinski, IS Butler, LJ Xu, H Song, XJ Wei, Catalytic Conversion of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to Some Value-Added Derivatives, Green Chemistry, 20, 3657-3682 (2018) (Critical Review).

 The catalytic mechanisms and catalyst design strategies for 5-hydroxymethylfural conversion.（5-羟甲基糠醛转化的催化机理和催化剂设计策略）

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我院生物能源组孔晓博士在Green Chemistry期刊发表综述

 催化转化5-羟基甲基糠醛为生物燃料和高附加值的化合物

 最近，国际学术期刊Green Chemistry（影响因子8.6，第一署名单位为南京农业大学，第一作者为孔晓，通讯作者为方真教授），发表了生物能源组和加拿大麦吉尔大学IS Butler 教授以及英国赫里福郡大学JA Kozinski教授合作的生物燃料综述文章。

孔晓博士在文中综述了5-羟基甲基糠醛(HMF)催化转化为生物燃料，总结了其转化的催化机理和催化剂设计策略。 HMF是一种衍生自C6糖的平台化学品。由于存在C=O，C-O和呋喃类官能团，所以它可以转化为各种重要的化学品和燃料。在这篇综述中，有选择性地调整这些在HMF中的官能团来形成2,5-二甲基呋喃、2,5-二氢甲基呋喃、2,5-二氢甲基四氢呋喃、5-乙氧基甲基呋喃、1,6-己二醇、长链烷烃、3-（羟甲基）环戊酮、对二甲苯、2,5-二甲酰基呋喃、2，5-呋喃二甲酸和马来酸酐，以能够更加深入地了解HMF在各种条件下的转化。本综述的重点是催化过程的机理和未来催化剂的潜在设计策略。该文强调了官能团的活化作用和双官能团催化剂精确设计中所面临的关键挑战。还介绍了使用HMF平台分子将果糖“一锅法”转化为各种化学品的一些实例。

详情可见：

1. X Kong, YF Zhu, Zhen Fang*, JA Kozinski, IS Butler, LJ Xu, H Song, XJ Wei, Catalytic Conversion of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to Some Value-Added Derivatives, Green Chemistry, 20, 3657-3682 (2018) (Critical Review).

One-step production of biodiesel from Jatropha oils with high acid value by magnetic acid-base amphoteric nanoparticles

Alkaline oxides concerted with acidic -COOFe structure, for the one-pot esterification and transesterification of high AV Jatropha oils without saponification. Zn₈@Fe-C₄₀₀ achieved nearly 100% Jatropha biodiesel yield at 160 ^oC within 4 h, and was used for at least 10 cycles with biodiesel yield of >94.3% at AV of 6.3 mg KOH/g.（磁性酸碱两性催化剂通过两步法合成：羧甲基纤维素钠和Fe³⁺螯合生成的酸性结构-COOFe将碱性氧化物包埋在催化剂的内部，煅烧步骤将部分的-COOFe结构还原成Fe₃O₄，为催化剂引入磁性。合成的Zn₈@Fe-C₄₀₀可以催化酸值为6.3 mg KOH/g的小桐子油获得100.0%的生物柴油产率，循环使用10次小桐子生物柴油的产率仍然大于94.3%）

Recently, Miss Yi-Tong Wang (PhD student from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences) supervised by Prof. Zhen FANG has synthesized magnetic acid-base amphoteric nanoparticles. Alkaline oxides (ZnFe₂O₄, ferrihydrite, zincite, maghemite and magnetite) concerted with acidic -COOFe structure, benefited the one-pot esterification and transesterification of Jatropha oils with high acid value to produce biodiesel without additional pretreatment. The strong magnetism of catalyst helped catalyst separation for recycle in biodiesel production. Jatropha biodiesel yield of 100% at 160 ^oC within 4 h, with methanol/oil molar ratio of 40/1 and catalyst dosage of 7 wt% was achieved, while the catalyst can be cycled for at least 10 times with biodiesel yield > 94.3% at acid value of 6.3 mg KOH/g. No obvious saponification was observed during the reactions and storage.

The results were published:

YT Wang, Zhen Fang*, XX Yang, YT Yang, J Luo, K Xu, GR Bao. One-step production of biodiesel from Jatropha oils with high acid value at low temperature by magnetic acid-base amphoteric nanoparticles, Chemical Engineering Journal, 348, 929-939 (2018).

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385894718308283

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磁性酸碱两性纳米粒子催化高酸值的小桐子油在低温下一步法制备生物柴油

最近，王一同（女）同学（中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园博士研究生）在方老师的指导下，通过两步法合成了磁性酸碱两性催化剂，并应用于小桐子生物柴油的制备。

该研究通过简易的两步法合成高活性的磁性酸碱两性纳米颗粒，用于高酸值不可食用的小桐子油联合酯化和转酯化反应，一步法制备小桐子生物柴油。在低温160 ^oC反应4 h可以获得100.0%的生物柴油产率，通过简单的磁性分离可以循环使用10次 (产率仍然大于94.3%)，展现了非常出色的工业应用能力。通过半年的常温储存，合成的小桐子生物柴油未发生皂化。

结果发表在Chemical Engineering Journal: Yi-Tong Wang, Zhen Fang*, Xing-Xia Yang, Ya-Ting Yang, Jia Luo, Kun Xu, Gui-Rong Bao. One-step production of biodiesel from Jatropha oils with high acid value at low temperature by magnetic acid-base amphoteric nanoparticles, Chemical Engineering Journal (IF6.7), 348, 929-939 (2018)。

Efficient catalytic transfer hydrogenation of biomass-based furfural to furfuryl alcohol with recycable Hf-phenylphosphonate nanohybrids

Recently, Dr. Hu Li supervised by Profs. Zhen FANG and RL Smith has synthesized an acid-base bifunctional nanohybrid phenylphosphonic acid (PhP) – hafnium (1:1.5) through assembly of PhP with HfCl4 for catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural (FUR) to furfuryl alcohol (FFA) using 2-propanol as both reaction solvent and hydrogen donor source. An FFA yield of 97.6% with formation rate of 9760 μmol g-1 h-1 at 99.2% FUR conversion was obtained with the reaction system at 120 °C for 2 h reaction time. Activation energy (Ea) was estimated to be 60.8 kJ/mol with respect to FUR concentration, which is comparable with or even lower than Ea values attained over metal catalysts. The pronounced catalytic activity of PhP-Hf (1:1.5) is attributed to its moderate acidity and relatively strong basicity. The PhP-Hf (1:1.5) catalyst was demonstrated to maintain its activity for five consecutive reuse cycles.

Related results were published:
H Li, Y Li, Zhen Fang*, RL Smith Jr., Efficient Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Biomass-Based Furfural to Furfuryl Alcohol with Recycable Hf-Phenylphosphonate Nanohybrids, Catalysis Today, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2018.04.056,  2018.

Mesoporous PhP-Hf(1:1.5) nanohybrid material bearing acidic and basic sites promotes catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol with 97.6% yields with 2-propanol as solvent and hydrogen donor source at 120 °C in 2 h reaction time.【介孔PhP-Hf（苯磷酸-铪）纳米MOF(金属有机框架材料)复合物同时具有酸性和碱性位点，促进了糠醛加氢催化转化为糠醇，120℃反应两小时，使用异丙醇作为反应溶剂和氢供体时，糠醇产率为97.6%。】

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李虎博士在国际学术期刊Catalysis Today发表学术论文

可回收重复利用的苯基-铪纳米MOF复合物高效加氢催化糠醛转化为糠醇

最近，国际学术期刊Catalysis Today（影响因子4.7, Q1，第一署名单位为南京农业大学，第一作者为博士后李虎，通讯作者为方真教授），发表了生物燃料最新研究成果。

该研究团队通过组装苯磷酸（PhP）和四氯化铪而制成一种酸碱双官能团纳米杂化苯磷酸MOF（金属有机框架）催化剂，使用异丙醇作为反应溶剂和氢供体，用于加氢催化糠醛（FUR）转化为糠醇（FFA）。在120℃反应2小时的条件下，FUR的转化率为99.2%，FFA产率为97.6%，生成速率为9760μmol/gh。FUR转化的活化能（Ea）估计为60.8KJ/mol，与金属催化剂相比，其具有可与之媲美甚至更低的活化能。PhP-Hf（1:1.5; 苯磷酸-铪纳米MOF）显著的催化活性得益于其温和的酸性和相对强的碱性。PhP-Hf（1:1.5）催化剂可连续重复使用5次。

详情可见：
H Li, Y Li, Zhen Fang*, RL Smith Jr., Efficient Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Biomass-Based Furfural to Furfuryl Alcohol with Recycable Hf-Phenylphosphonate Nanohybrids, Catalysis Today, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2018.04.056,  2018.

These 3 books below are highly downloaded (以下3本由方老师等编著的专著为Springer高下载图书）:

1.Zhen Fang*, R. L. Smith, Jr., X. Qi (Editors), Production of Platform Chemicals from Sustainable Resources, Springer Book Series – Biofuels and Biorefineries, Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg Berlin, hardcover, 14 Chapters, ISBN 978-981-10-4171-6, 500 pages, 2017. (Among the top 25% most downloaded eBooks in 2017; 7k chapter downloads, Feb. 2018).

2.Zhen Fang*, R. L. Smith, Jr.(Editors), Production of Biofuels and Chemicals from Lignin, Springer Book Series – Biofuels and Biorefineries, Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg Berlin, hardcover, ISBN 978-981-10-1964-7, 2016. (Among the top 50% most downloaded eBooks in 2016; 12k chapter downloads, Feb. 2018).

3.Zhen Fang (Editor), Pretreatment Techniques for Biofuels and Biorefineries, Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg,  ISBN 978-3-642-32734-6, hardcover, 476 pages, 2013. (Among the top 25% most downloaded eBooks in 2013; 36k chapter downloads, Feb. 2018).

Prof. Zhen Fang Won “2017 Most Cited Chinese Researchers” in Energy by Elsevier, He also won the award in 2014, 2015 and 2016 [China ranks the first in total citation and citation of the influential research papers (Top10％) in engineering, 2013-2015].

方老师获爱思唯尔能源领域“2017年中国高被引学者”，他2014，2015和2016也进入“中国高被引学者”榜单。

Cellulase immobilized on mesoporous biochar synthesized by ionothermal carbonization of cellulose

Recently, Mr. Chang-hui Zhu (a PhD student from Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences) supervised by Prof. Zhen FANG synthesized biochar via ionothermal carbonization and pyrolysis, and it was subsequent used to adsorb free cellulase physically for enzymatic hydrolysis.

In order to recover free cellulase, a mesoporous biochar was synthesized from cellulose by ionic thermal and pyrolysis methods for the adsorption of free cellulase. Kinetics analysis showed that the affinity of the immobilized cellulase to carboxymethyl cellulose was better than that of free cellulase. The immobilized cellulase at different pH and temperatures was more stable than those of free cellulase. It was used to hydrolyze pretreated cellulose with [Bmim]Cl with total reducing sugar yield of 99.9%. The immobilized cellulase activity can still retain 74.8% after 5 cycles. Lastly, the immobilized cellulase can improve sugar production from the pretreated corncob for potential practical applications.

Results were published in Cellulose: Chang-hui Zhu, Zhen Fang*, Tong-chao Su, and Qi-ying Liu, Cellulase Immobilized on Mesoporous Biochar Synthesized by Ionthermal Carbonization of Cellulose, Cellulose,  25(4), 2473-2485 (2018).

Mesoporous biochar was synthesized by ionothermal carbonization, and pyrolysis for the immobilization of cellulase to hydrolyze ionic liquid pretreated cellulose and corncob. During pretreated cellulose hydrolysis, total reducing sugar yield of 92.2 % was achieved with 74.8% enzyme activity remained after 5 cycles.（通过离子热和热解方法合成了介孔生物炭，该生物炭用于固定纤维素酶，固定化纤维素酶用于水解离子液体预处理的纤维素以及玉米芯。其中在预处理纤维素水解，总还原糖产率可达92.2%，固定化酶循环使用5次后，活性仍保留74.8%）。

最近，朱长辉同学（中国科学院广州能源研究所博士研究生）在方老师的指导下，通过离子热和热解法由纤维素合成生物炭以及后续物理吸附制备固定化纤维素酶，并将其应用于离子液体预处理纤维素/生物质的水解。
为了回收游离纤维素酶，通过离子热和热解两步法由纤维素合成一种介孔生物炭以用于吸附游离纤维素酶。动力学分析表明，固定化纤维素酶对羧甲基纤维素的亲和力优于游离纤维素酶。 不同pH和温度下的固定化纤维素酶比游离纤维素酶更稳定。该固定化酶具有较好的催化预处理纤维素水解的能力，总还原糖产率可达92.2%，固定化酶循环使用5次后，活性仍保留74.8%。最后，该固定化酶结合离子液体预处理技术，对水解生物质纤维素表现出一定的应用前景。
结果发表在Cellulose: Chang-hui Zhu, Zhen Fang*, Tong-chao Su, and Qi-ying Liu, Cellulase Immobilized on Mesoporous Biochar Synthesized by Ionthermal Carbonization of Cellulose, Cellulose 25(4), 2473-2485 (2018).

Prof. Zhen FANG becomes an Associate Editor for “the Journal of Supercritical Fluids”

Informed by Dr. Angela Welch, Senior Publisher (Chemical & Biomedical Engineering journals), ELSEVIER, Prof. Zhen Fang was appointed as an Associate Editor for peer-reviewed scientific journal, the Journal of Supercritical Fluids (IF 3.1), after the role of being an Editorial Board Member of it for a few months (07/2017-02/2018).

As an Associate Editor, Prof. Fang would work closely with the regional editor to help cover submissions from Asia and will be to coordinate the peer-review process and submit a recommended decision. He will also handle the assigned papers in the areas of biofuels and supercritical water.

He is also serving as  Editor-in-Chief of Springer Book Series – Biofuels and Biorefineries,  Associate Editor of Biotechnol Biofuels (IF 5.5)，as well as editorial (advisory) board members of Biofuel Bioprod Bior (Willey), Energy Sustain Soc (Springer), and Energy Policy Res (Taylor & Francis).

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方真老师担任《The Journal of Supercritical Fluids》【《超临界流体学报》】副主编

最近, 方真老师应爱思唯尔出版商Angela Welch博士邀请，担任《The Journal of Supercritical Fluids》【《超临界流体学报》】副主编（Associate Editor）。最初的任命将为期2年。作为副主编, 方老师将协助地区主编，处理亚洲地区的稿件。同时，他还将处理生物燃料和超临界水领域的论文。《The Journal of Supercritical Fluids》 (影响因子 3.1, 化工Q1区，https://www.journals.elsevier.com/the-journal-of-supercritical-fluids/) ，是爱思唯尔(ELSEVIER)主办的国际期刊, 专门涉及超临界流体和过程的基本原理和应用。其目的是为学术和工业界研究人员提供一个重点的平台, 报告他们的研究结果, 并准备好进入这一迅速发展的领域的进展。它的覆盖面是多学科的并且包括基础的和应用的专题。

 

A novel biomass-derived mesoporous bifunctional hybrid (FDCA-Hf) prepared by facile assembly of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) with hafnium (Hf) was highly stable and active for the production of biofuels and valuable chemicals from bio-based compounds such as ketones, aldehydes and acidic oils via acid-base cooperative catalysis

Recently, Dr. Hu Li supervised by Prof. Zhen  Fang  designed and prepared a new porous and acid-base bifunctional hybrid (FDCA-Hf)  by simple assembly of biomass-derived 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) with hafnium (Hf) under template-free conditions. The resulting FDCA-Hf hybrid with mesopores centered at 6.9 nm, moderate surface area (365.8 m²/g) and acid-base couple sites (density: 0.51 vs 0.97 mmol/g, acid/base molar ratio: 0.53), could selectively catalyze the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction of carbonyl compounds under mild reaction conditions (as low as 90 ºC in a short time of 1 h), especially of ethyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone, in quantitative yields (95-100%) and relatively higher reaction rate (e.g., turnover frequency: 2.28 h^-1) compared to other catalysts. Moreover, the efficient simultaneous (trans)esterification of Jatropha oils with high acidic values to biodiesel (up to 98% yield) could also be achieved over FDCA-Hf with robust acid-base catalytic sites. The FDCA-Hf hybrid was highly stable due to the presence of robust metal-organic framework and could be resued with no decline in activity. Further studies demonstrated that the synergistic role of Lewis acid-base couple species (Hf⁴⁺–O^2–) and Brønsted acidic species (-OH) of FDCA-Hf contributed greatly to its pronounced catalytic activity.

Related results were published:

H Li , TT Yang, Zhen Fang*, Biomass-derived Mesoporous Hf-containing Hybrid for Efficient Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley Reduction at Low Temperatures. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental (IF 11.7), 227, 79–89 (2018).

最近，国际学术期刊Applied Catalysis B: Environmental（第一署名单位为南京农业大学，第一作者为博士后李虎，通讯作者为方真教授）发表了生物燃料最新研究成果。

李虎博士通过简单的组装2,5-呋喃二甲酸（FDCA）和金属铪（Hf），制备出一种新型介孔双功能的混合物（FDCA-Hf），它高度稳定和活跃，可用于酸碱协同催化生物基化合物如酮，醛和高酸值油低温高效生产生物燃料和有价值的化学品。

详情可见：

H Li , TT Yang, Zhen Fang*, Biomass-derived Mesoporous Hf-containing Hybrid for Efficient Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley Reduction at Low Temperatures. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental (IF 11.7), 227, 79–89 (2018).

Inclusion of Zn into Metallic Ni Enables Selective and Effective Synthesis of 2,5-Dimethylfuran

Recently, Dr. X. Kong supervised by Profs. Y Zhu (Chinese Academy of Sciences) and Zhen Fang developed  a highly selective Ni-based alloy catalyst for furanic fuel production from 5-hydroxymethylfurfuran. The NiZn alloy catalyst was formed through Zn inclusion to Ni by controllable reduction of the NiZnAl hydrotalcite-derived NiO–ZnO–Al₂O₃ mixed oxide. The combination of temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), CO-adsorbed infrared spectroscopy (CO-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that the surface of the NiZn catalyst was composed of β₁-NiZn while the bulk was composed of α-NiZn. Moreover, the surface Ni atoms were geometrically isolated by Zn atoms and modulated to be electron-rich. Finally, the rate of C═O/C—O hydrogenolysis over C═C/C-C hydrogenation for NiZn alloy catalyst was approximately three times higher than that of monometallic Ni catalyst. A 93.6% yield of DMF was obtained over NiZn alloy catalyst. The greatly improved DMF yield was thus attributed to the electron modification and isolation of Ni atoms due to the formation of NiZn alloy.

Related results were published:

X. Kong, Y. Zhu, H. Zheng, Y. Zhu, Zhen Fang*, Inclusion of Zn into Metallic Ni Enables Selective and Effective Synthesis of 2,5-Dimethylfuran from Bioderived 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 5 (2017) 11280-11289.

High yield of DMF (93.6%) was obtained from hydrogenolysis of HMF, which is an important process for sustainable fuel production from biomass.【通过调变金属Ni的电子状态和结构状态，实现了Ni基催化剂高选择性催化5-羟甲基糠醛加氢制呋喃燃料的过程】

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高选择性Ni基催化剂催化5-羟甲基糠醛制呋喃液体燃料

最近，国际学术期刊ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering（影响因子5.9，第一署名单位为南京农业大学，第一作者为孔晓，通讯作者为中科院山西煤化所朱玉雷研究员和方真教授），发表了生物能源组催化转化生物质平台分子制生物液体燃料最新研究成果。阐明了NiZn合金化对Ni加氢催化性能的调变。
孔晓博士通过在Ni催化剂上引入金属Zn，形成了NiZn合金催化剂。该催化剂表面由β1-NiZn组成，体相为α-NiZn。合金化过程使得催化剂表面得到调变，金属Zn向金属Ni转移电子，使Ni电子状态发生变化；同时Zn很好的稀释Ni原子，进而减弱呋喃环在Ni上的吸附，最后催化剂表现出较高的5-羟甲基糠醛选择性加氢选择性。

孔晓博士还在斯普林格出版社出版的专著《Production of Biofuels and Chemicals with Bifunctional Catalysts》上应邀撰写书的一章节，详细介绍了非均相催化剂的表征方法和基本原理，以及用固体酸、金属和金属酸双功能催化剂促进纤维素转化。

详情可见：
1. X. Kong, Y. Zhu, H. Zheng, Y. Zhu*, Zhen Fang*, Inclusion of Zn into Metallic Ni Enables Selective and Effective Synthesis of 2,5-Dimethylfuran from Bioderived 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 5 (2017) 11280-11289.
2. X Kong, Y Zhu, H Li, Zhen Fang*, RL Smith, Jr, Introduction to Characterization Methods for Heterogeneous Catalysts and Their Application to Cellulose Conversion Mechanisms, Editors: Zhen Fang, RL Smith Jr, H. Li, Production of Biofuels and Chemicals with Bifunctional Catalysts, Springer Book Series – Biofuels and Biorefineries, Publisher: Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg Berlin, ISBN 978-981-10-5136-4, Chapter 2, 2017.
3. H Li, X Kong, Zhen Fang*, RL Smith, Jr, Fundamentals of Bifunctional Catalysis for Transforming Biomass-Related Compounds into Chemicals and Biofuels, Editors: Zhen Fang*, RL Smith Jr, H. Li, Production of Biofuels and Chemicals with Bifunctional Catalysts, Springer Book Series – Biofuels and Biorefineries, Publisher: Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg Berlin, ISBN 978-981-10-5136-4, Chapter 1, 2017.