A Ni-foam-structured MoNi4–MoOx nanocomposite catalyst for hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate to ethanol

Abstract

We report a Ni-foam-structured MoNi₄–MoO_x nanocomposite catalyst derived from NiMoO₄ spinel in situ grown on Ni-foam, which is highly active, selective (>93%) and stable for the gas-phase hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate to ethanol. Such a reaction proceeds mainly through ethylene glycol formation, whereas a pathway through methyl acetate (MA) formation also occurs. Catalyst activity and selectivity are primarily governed by the MoNi₄ nanoalloy but can be further improved by an MoO_x modifier, due to the synergistic MoNi₄–MoO_x interaction that markedly promotes the MA hydrogenation to EtOH.