Influence of the Support Nature of Copper Catalysts on Catalytic Properties in the Hydrogenation of Fatty Acid Esters

Copper-containing catalysts supported on different commercial oxide supports (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and mixed oxide supports) were prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method and investigated for the selective hydrogenation of methyl esters (methyl butyrate, methyl hexanoate, methyl stearate) to fatty alcohols. Characterization techniques, including transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms, and the temperature-programmed hydrogen reduction (H₂-TPR) method, were utilized and revealed the relationship between catalyst properties and its structure. The best results of catalytic activity were obtained in the presence of the Cu catalyst supported on SiO₂ with co-precipitated Al₂O₃, where the conversion of esters was above 50% with a selectivity for the corresponding alcohols of 40-70%. This efficient and inexpensive Cu-based catalyst can be widely used in industrial production, which is conducive to promoting the development of non-precious metal catalysts in the biomass industry.