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In-situ hydrogen generation and hydrodeoxygenation via Ni-Mo alloy tandem catalysis: Co-liquefaction of high-density polyethylene and bamboo sawdust into hydrocarbon fuels

Author

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  • Li, Sheng-Ren
  • Ji, Na
  • Yang, Song
  • Xu, Lujiang
  • Kozinski, Janusz A.
  • Fang, Zhen

Abstract

This study reports a Ni-Mo/SiO2 alloy tandem catalysis in-situ hydrogen generation and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) reaction, upgrading of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and bamboo sawdust (BS) into hydrocarbons (HCs, C6-C24) in methanol. HCs achieved a 35.81 wt% yield and 95.73 % selectivity (95.42 % alkanes), approximating the composition of commercial diesel. HDPE and methanol as dual hydrogen sources, with hydrogen from HDPE used for HDO and hydrogen from methanol for alkene saturation. Furthermore, kinetic studies and SEM revealed that BS covered by molten HDPE avoided attacks by methanol at low temperatures (<360 °C) to reach simultaneous decomposition with HDPE, ensuring the continuity of hydrogen generation and deoxygenation. H2-TPR, XRD, TEM, and EDS confirmed that the catalyst formed an alloy structure that facilitated hydrogen generation (H2 increased from 0.27 to 3.90 mol/kg) and activation and adsorption of H2. XPS revealed that abundant and dynamic cycling Mo5+ on Ni-Mo/SiO2 formed numerous oxygen vacancies (OV/OL = 1.78) as active sites for deoxygenation reactions, promoting crude oil deoxygenation (CO2 increased from 0.17 to 3.28 mol/kg). This ensured high HC selectivity (≥90 %) in crude oil after five cycles. This tandem catalysis presents a pathway for the energy conversion of plastic and biomass waste.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Sheng-Ren & Ji, Na & Yang, Song & Xu, Lujiang & Kozinski, Janusz A. & Fang, Zhen, 2026. "In-situ hydrogen generation and hydrodeoxygenation via Ni-Mo alloy tandem catalysis: Co-liquefaction of high-density polyethylene and bamboo sawdust into hydrocarbon fuels," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:260:y:2026:i:c:s0960148126000492
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2026.125224
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    References listed on IDEAS

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