The catalysts used were based on tungsten carbide supported
on activated carbon (Merck – analytical grade) containing 30 wt.%
W on carbon and 1 wt.% transition metal promoter on W/C. Another
catalyst composed of only 1 wt.%metal promoter supported onactivated
carbon was also tested. The catalysts are labeled M-W2C/C
and M/C, respectively.
Catalytic reactions were performed in a pressure reactor (Parr
Instr., 300 mL) using 800 psi H2, 150 mL deionized water, 1.500 g
dry cellulose (Avicel PH-101 microcrystalline cellulose – Sigma
Aldrich), 0.500 g of catalyst with a stirring rate of 1000 rpm. The
catalytic activity was determined at three temperatures, 190, 220
and 250 ◦C with the reaction time varying from 30 to 120 min.
Details regarding the synthesis of the tungsten carbide catalyst,
M-W2C/C, as well as the catalytic reactions are described in the
supporting information (SI pages 1 and 2).
The catalytic activity was determined via cellulose conversion
according to the equation below