Abstract

The catalytic performance of Ru impregnated perovskites-based catalysts (Ru/SrZrO3 and Ru/BaZrO3) in the conversion of levulinic acid (LA) into higher valuable chemicals was carried out at different reaction temperatures. The Ru/SrZrO3 and Ru/BaZrO3 catalysts, with a loading of 2.0 Ru atoms nm(-2), were prepared by incipient impregnation, and characterized by different techniques. The characterization results indicate presence of dispersed Ru catalysts, with a crystalline structure, with absence of carbonate species for Ru/SrZrO3 and larger carbonates as segregated phase and with stronger basic sites for Ru/BaZrO3. At higher reaction temperatures (200 degrees C - 250 degrees C), the higher strength of the basic sites of Ru/BaZrO3 had a direct influence on the levulinic acid (LA) conversion reaction. Differences in the apparent activation energy (E-ap) values follow the same trend. The catalysts produce a 100 % of selectivity towards GVL. The formation of GVL was proposed to proceed via the intermediacy of 4-hydroxypentanoic acid due to the presence of basic surface sites.