Abstract

BACKGROUND: Perovskite-type mixed oxides with the formula La1-xAgxCoO3 (xAg = 0.05, 0.10, 0.20) were successfully used as precursors to prepare cobalt nanoparticle catalysts for use in the catalytic hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA). The calcined, reduced, and post reaction catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption isotherms at −196 °C, H2-Temperature programmed reduction, NH3-Temperature programmed desorption, H2 chemisorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalytic performance was evaluated in a batch reactor at 50 bar of H2 at different temperatures to determine the kinetic parameters. RESULTS: An increase in the reducibility of the perovskite and Co3+ species contents was detected upon the silver doping. The highest catalytic activity was observed for the perovskite with xAg = 0.20 and this activity was attributed to the high content of metallic cobalt. CONCLUSION: The active site corresponds to surface metallic cobalt and the presence of silver increases the amount of reduced cobalt. The high hydrogenating capacity of metallic cobalt explains the 100% selectivity towards gamma valero lactone of the synthesized catalysts. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).