Supported β-Mo2C on Carbon Materials for Kraft Lignin Decomposition into Aromatic Monomers in Ethanol

The β-Mo2C on different carbon supports was prepared conveniently via direct H2 reduction or self-reduction for catalytic conversion of Kraft lignin into aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic alcohols, and aromatic aldehydes. The β-Mo2C on macroporous carbon (MC) with large pore size exhibits the highest activity with aromatic yield of 0.543 g/g Kraft lignin at 280 °C for 3 h, resulting from the accessibility of lignin fragments to β-Mo2C. Mo, MoO2, and MoO3 possess relatively low activity. Higher calcination temperature is required to obtain β-Mo2C over graphite (Gr) support than MC and activated carbon (AC), and small grain size of Gr-supported catalysts is beneficial for high activity. The β-Mo2C on AC exhibits the highest selectivity to aromatic hydrocarbons, which are attributed to highly dispersed β-Mo2C in micropores.