Efficient utilization of cellulose is of scientific significance and a great challenge for both fundamental and industrial studies. Herein, we synthesized MesoZSM-5 zeolites by using nanocrystalline cellulose as a template for the first time, and reported the exciting performance of the corresponding non-noble metal catalysts (Ni/MesoZSM-5) for efficient conversion of cellulose to hexitols. By modulating the ratio of the template to precursor, MesoZSM-5 supports were produced with tunable pore structure and acidic sites. With the cooperation of active Ni sites and acidic sites of MesoZSM-5, hexitols were obtained with a high yield of around 60% in the direct conversion of commercial microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The corresponding correlation between the structural characteristics and catalytic performance was established. This work provides a new approach for efficient utilization of cellulose, as well as gives rise to a sustainable templating method for the synthesis of mesoporous zeolites.

A highly selective and stable catalyst based on Pt nanoparticles confined in Mesoporous TiO2–SiO2 frameworks were prepared and employed for selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to cinnamyl alcohol. The as-prepared Pt/MesoTiO2–SiO2-M catalyst displayed excellent selectivity to cinnamyl alcohol (around 91%) at nearly complete conversion. Ti2+ and stronger metal-support interaction (SMSI) played key roles on the adsorption behavior of cinnamaldehyde and activation of CO bonds. The existence of amorphous SiO2 and mixed TiO2 phases (anatase and rutile) was helpful for the formation of Ti2+ sites and SMSI. The electron-enriched Pt surfaces and the formed Pt-TiOx system benefited the enhanced activity and selectivity.

•Doping of Zn caused remarkable improvements of activity and selectivity of ZnNiAl catalysts.•The formation of ZnNi alloy altered the surface electronic structure of ZnNiAl catalysts.•The adsorption mode of glycerol was changed on the surface of ZnNi alloy.•A new reaction pathway of glycerol hydrogenolysis was proposed.Nickel based catalyst is of interest in the industrial catalytic processes, and it is always modified by doping a second element to improve its catalytic properties. Understanding the role of dopant is extremely helpful in tailoring the active centers. In this work, Zn could induce a significant improvement of the catalytic performance of NiAl for the hydrogenolysis of glycerol. The Zn doped ZnNiAl catalysts exhibited high activity and the improved selectivity to 1,2-propanediol, it was about 2 times higher than the original ones. The ZnNi alloy formed in ZnNiAl was responsible for the noticeable catalytic performance. They preferred to coordinate with the end hydroxyl group of glycerol, promoted the cleavage of CO bond in glycerol, and resulted in the dominant formation of 1,2-propanediol. The findings described here will provide a useful knowledge for rational design of nickel-based catalysts, as well as reveal a new reaction model for the hydrogenolysis of glycerol.