Preparation of Cu-MgO Catalysts via Urea-nitrate Combustion Method and Their Catalytic Performance in Vapor Phase Hydrogenation of Furfural

A series of Cu-MgO catalysts was prepared via a urea-nitrate combustion method, and their catalytic performance was examined in the vapor phase hydrogenation of furfural. Characterization results showed that the amount of urea had important effects on the surface area, Cu dispersion and crystallite size of the catalysts. The Cu-MgO catalyst with a Cu loading of 12.1%(mass fraction) showed higher furfural conversion than the catalyst prepared by coprecipitation. The high activity was attributed to the higher dispersion of Cu on the catalyst surface. These results suggest that the combustion method is an efficient and simple route for the preparation of high activity Cu-MgO catalysts for furfural hydrogenation.