Enhanced Hydrogenation of Cyclohexanone: A Multi‐Scale Investigation Into Noncatalytic and Catalytic Pathways Towards Sustainable Conversion

ABSTRACT The selective hydrogenation of oxygenated compounds is crucial for the conversion of biocrude into platform chemicals. However, the presence of stable oxygenated species, cyclohexanone, in biocrude limits possess a challenge for easy conversion process. This study aims to investigate both Noncatalytic and catalytic hydrogenation of cyclohexanone as a model compound to understand its transformation pathways. Monometallic and trimetallic catalysts supported of biochar were developed using impregnation method and characterized via SEM‐EDS, FTIR, BET, NH 3 ‐TPD, XPS and TEM to correlate structural features with catalytic performance. In supercritical ethanol condition at 350°C, Zn‐supported biochar promoted aromatization (4.65 area%), Ce‐supported biochar achieved the highest ketone conversion (83.20 area%), and Ni‐supported biochar exhibited the highest hydrocarbon selectivity (18.27 area%). The performance of Ni and Ce during the hydrogenation of cyclohexanone model compound resulted in the development of NiCeMo‐biochar catalyst for the application towards the upgrading of real‐life biocrude. The NiCeMo catalyst depicts the presence of Ni 2+ , Ce 3+ /Ce 4+ and Mo 4+ /Mo 6+ which promotes the hydrogen generation and activation and the formation of oxygen vacancy. The catalyst showed optimal performance at 350°C and 2 h, achieving 95.95% ketone conversion with accompanying heavier alcohols in the absence of an external hydrogen supply, demonstrating its potential as hydrogenation catalyst.