Abstract: Metal-support interaction offers electronic, geometrical and compositional effects to tune and maneuver catalytically active sites. Here we report the first example of a reactive metal support interaction (RMSI) between Pt and various MXenes, which are two-dimensional (2D) metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides. The invention thus provides intermetallic Pt/MXene nanoparticle catalysts comprising platinum and MXene moieties. Pt3Ti and Pt3Nb intermetallic nanoparticle catalysts were prepared by RMSI of Pt nanoparticles supported on Ti3C2 and Nb2C MXenes. The intermetallic structures were verified by XAS, ARSTEM, and XPS. Experimental analysis showed that the extent of alloy formation is temperature dependent. Kinetics analysis revealed that in contrast to Pt/Al2O3, Pt supported by Nb2CTx exhibits weaker CO adsorption and the alloy-MXene interface shows enhanced ability of H2O dissociation for a water gas shift (WGS) reaction at 300° C.

Abstract: Described herein are processes for one-step delignification and hydrodeoxygenation of lignin fraction a biomass feedstock. The lignin feedstock is derived from by-products of paper production and biorefineries. Additionally described is a process for converting biomass-derived oxygenates to lower oxygen-content compounds and/or hydrocarbons in the liquid or vapor phase in a reactor system containing hydrogen and a catalyst comprised of a hydrogenation function and/or an oxophilic function and/or an acid function. Finally, also described herein is a process for converting biomass-derived oxygenates to lower oxygen-content compounds and/or hydrocarbons in the liquid or vapor phase in a reactor system containing hydrogen and a catalyst comprised of a hydrogenation function and/or an oxophilic function and/or an acid function.

Abstract: Described herein are processes for one-step delignification and hydrodeoxygenation of lignin fraction a biomass feedstock. The lignin feedstock is derived from by-products of paper production and biorefineries. Additionally described is a process for converting biomass-derived oxygenates to lower oxygen-content compounds and/or hydrocarbons in the liquid or vapor phase in a reactor system containing hydrogen and a catalyst comprised of a hydrogenation function and/or an oxophilic function and/or an acid function. Finally, also described herein is a process for converting biomass-derived oxygenates to lower oxygen-content compounds and/or hydrocarbons in the liquid or vapor phase in a reactor system containing hydrogen and a catalyst comprised of a hydrogenation function and/or an oxophilic function and/or an acid function.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for conversion and upgrading of biomass to products. The process involves converting the biomass to primary lignin-derivatives and primary cellulose/hemicellulose derivatives, catalytically treating the primary lignin-derivatives to produce secondary lignin-derived products, and treating the primary cellulose/hemicellulose- derivatives to produce secondary cellulose/hemicellulose-derived products.