Silicalite-1 encapsulated Cu nanoclusters with La modification for enhanced performance in hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol

Selective hydrogenation of furfural (FFL) to furfuryl alcohol (FAL) represents a pivotal paradigm in sustainable biomass valorization. In this work, nanoscale Cu clusters were encapsulated in silicalite-1 (S-1) zeolite using in-situ synthesis, and further modified by a rare-earth element of La for regulating the catalyst microenvironment. The obtained La-Cu@S-1 can provide an enhanced performance in the FFL-to-FAL transformations, with 98.6% conversion of FFL and 99% selectivity of FAL at 110 °C, 20 bar H 2 , and 3 h. Besides, La-Cu@S-1 shows a good stability without apparent catalyst deactivation upon four consecutive runs. Extensive characterization research reveals that La addition could provide anchoring sites for Cu nanoclusters via an enhanced electronic interaction, thereby effectively suppressing metal leaching and agglomeration during the liquid-phase catalysis. Additionally, La addition could modulate the zeolite microenvironment of encapsulated Cu nanoparticles and notably stabilize the conventionally unstable Cu + species at a high proportion, even in a reductive H 2 atmosphere during catalysis, accounting for the enhanced activity and stability. This study showcases La modification as an efficient approach to rationally develop metal-zeolite combinations with enhanced performance, promoting potential utilization and development of rare-earth elements in the valorization of biomass and other renewable energy.