FeNi nanoparticles with carbon armor as sustainable hydrogenation catalysts: towards biorefineries

Carbon supported FeNi nanoparticles were prepared by carbothermal reduction of cellulose filter paper impregnated with Fe and Ni salts. The resulting carbon enwrapped alloy nanoparticles were employed as an efficient catalyst for the continuous hydrogenation of molecules obtainable from different fractions of lignocellulosic biomass. Scale-up and time on stream tests over 80 hours proved the catalyst stable and durable of over a wide range of conditions.