Selective Hydrogenolysis of Glycerol to 1, 2 Propanediol Over Cu–ZnO Catalysts

A series of Cu–ZnO catalysts with varying Cu to Zn weight ratio are prepared by co-precipitation method. The catalysts were characterized by surface area, XRD, TPR and N2O chemisorption to measure Cu metal area. These catalysts were evaluated for hydrogenolysis of glycerol. The catalyst with Cu to Zn ratio of 50:50 is highly active under relatively low H2 pressure. The catalysts are highly selective towards 1,2 propanediol (>93%). The glycerol conversion depends upon the bifunctional nature of catalyst where it requires both acidic sites and metal surface. The presence of sufficient amount with small particle size of ZnO and Cu are required for high conversion of glycerol and selectivity to 1,2 propanediol. Different reaction parameters are studied in order to optimize the reaction conditions.