Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• A porous carbon-supported Ni-ZnO nanoparticles catalyst (Ni-ZnO/AC) was synthesized by low-temperature coprecipitation, demonstrating exceptional catalytic activity and stability. • Selective hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (97.5%) or 2,5-dimethylfuran (99.5%) is achieved over Ni-ZnO/AC catalyst by solvent-tuning. • Solvent-catalyst interaction jointly regulates hydrodeoxygenation behavior in HMF hydrogenation by modulating rate and pathway via a hydrogen shuttle mechanism. • Density functional theory calculations confirm a lower activation energy in isopropanol (0.60 eV) compared to 1,4-dioxane (1.07 eV), providing mechanistic insights for solvent-mediated control.
Abstract
Developing biomass platform compounds into high value-added chemicals is a key step in renewable resource utilization. Herein, we report porous carbon-supported Ni-ZnO nanoparticles catalyst (Ni-ZnO/AC) synthesized via low-temperature coprecipitation, exhibiting excellent performance for the selective hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). A linear correlation is first observed between solvent polarity (ET(30)) and product selectivity within both polar aprotic and protic solvent classes, suggesting that solvent properties play a vital role in directing reaction pathways. Among these, 1,4-dioxane (aprotic) favors the formation of 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) with 97.5% selectivity, while isopropanol (iPrOH, protic) promotes 2,5-dimethylfuran production with up to 99.5% selectivity. Mechanistic investigations further reveal that beyond polarity, proton-donating ability is critical in facilitating hydrodeoxygenation. iPrOH enables a hydrogen shuttle mechanism where protons assist in hydroxyl group removal, lowering the activation barrier. In contrast, 1,4-dioxane, lacking hydrogen bond donors, stabilizes BHMF and hinders further conversion. Density functional theory calculations confirm a lower activation energy in iPrOH (0.60 eV) compared to 1,4-dioxane (1.07 eV). This work offers mechanistic insights and a practical strategy for solvent-mediated control of product selectivity in biomass hydrogenation, highlighting the decisive role of solvent-catalyst-substrate interactions.
1. Introduction
Numerous agricultural and forestry residues can be converted into renewable fuels and high value-added chemicals through biorefining processes, offering a reliable pathway for sustainable energy development [1–3]. In biorefining, biomass platform compounds serve as intermediates for producing various high value-added chemicals. Notably, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) rank among the “Top 10+4” biomass platform compounds identified by the US Department of Energy due to a critical link between biomass resources and petroleum-based industries [4, 5]. HMF possesses rich functional groups (aldehyde, hydroxymethyl and furan ring), enabling its conversion into a variety of high value-added chemicals through catalytic hydrogenation. For instance, HMF can be converted into 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF), which is utilized as a pharmaceutical intermediate and in synthetic polyester production; 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran (BHMTHF), a precursor for biopolymer monomers; 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), a second-generation liquid biofuel; and 1,6-hexanediol (1,6-HDO), an important precursor of bioplastics [6–10]. HMF hydrogenation involves a complex reaction network, necessitating selective activation of its functional groups to achieve the synthesis of the target products [11]. However, addressing selective hydrogenation of HMF into two or even multiple target products within a single catalytic reaction system remains an urgent challenge that must be solved.
Currently, much of the research on the catalytic hydrogenation of HMF emphasizes the precise design of catalysts with specific active sites to facilitate the efficient conversion of substrates. For instance, He et al. discovered that the Pt/OMS-2 catalyst, derived from screening Pt nanoparticles supported on several metal oxides, exhibits selectiv...
Loading authentic research manuscript (Pages 1–5)...
Rulu Huang, Chao Liu, Kaili Zhang, Jianchun Jiang, Ziqi Tian, Yongming Chai, Kui Wang (2026). A Promising Strategy for Solvent-Regulated Selective Hydrogenation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural over Porous Carbon-Supported Ni-ZnO Nanoparticles. Nano-Micro Letters. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01847-5
Research & Educational Purpose Only:The translations, structured abstracts, analytical annotations, and data reports provided by SinoTechIntel are intended exclusively for academic research, internal corporate R&D, and educational benchmarking. They do not constitute formal engineering, chemical safety, legal, or professional advice.
Copyright & Intellectual Property Notice: Original copyright of the underlying source articles and experimental data remains with the respective authors, institutions, and original publishing journals. SinoTechIntel claims intellectual property only over its proprietary translations, analytical syntheses, and AEO structured enhancements in accordance with international fair use and academic citation principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main achievement of this study?
The study presents a porous carbon-supported Ni-ZnO nanoparticles catalyst (Ni-ZnO/AC) that enables solvent-regulated selective hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to either 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (97.5% selectivity) or 2,5-dimethylfuran (99.5% selectivity), depending on the solvent used.
How does solvent polarity affect product selectivity?
A linear correlation was observed between solvent polarity (ET(30)) and product selectivity within both polar aprotic and protic solvent classes. Polar aprotic solvents like 1,4-dioxane favor BHMF formation, while protic solvents like isopropanol promote DMF production.
What is the role of proton-donating ability in the reaction?
Proton-donating ability is critical for hydrodeoxygenation. Isopropanol, a protic solvent, enables a hydrogen shuttle mechanism where protons assist in hydroxyl group removal, lowering the activation barrier. In contrast, 1,4-dioxane lacks hydrogen bond donors, stabilizing BHMF and hindering further conversion.
What computational evidence supports the mechanism?
Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed a lower activation energy in isopropanol (0.60 eV) compared to 1,4-dioxane (1.07 eV), supporting the proposed hydrogen shuttle mechanism.
What is the significance of this work for biomass conversion?
This work offers mechanistic insights and a practical strategy for solvent-mediated control of product selectivity in biomass hydrogenation, highlighting the decisive role of solvent-catalyst-substrate interactions. It provides a promising approach for producing high-value chemicals from renewable biomass resources.
Related Technical Papers & Translations
Direct Repair of the Crystal Structure and Coating Surface of Spent LiFePO4 Materials Enables Superfast Li-Ion Migration
The rapid accumulation of spent LiFePO4 (LFP) cathodes from retired lithium-ion batteries necessitates the development of effective and environmental-friendly recycling strategies. In this context, direct regeneration has emerged as a promising approach for reclaiming LFP cathode materials, offering a streamlined pathway to restore their electrochemical functionality. We report an integrated regeneration protocol that simultaneously repairs the degraded crystal structure and reconstructs the damaged carbon coating in spent LFP. The regenerated cathode material had superfast lithium-ion diffusion kinetics and a stable cathode–electrolyte interface, giving a remarkable rate capability with specific capacities of 122 mAh g−1 at 5C and 106 mAh g−1 at 10C (1C = 170 mA g−1). It also maintained capacities of 110.7 mAh g−1 (5C) and 84.1 mAh g−1 (10C) after 400 cycles. It could be used in harsh environments and could be stably cycled at subzero temperatures (−10 and −20 °C) and in solid-state electrolyte batteries. Life cycle assessment combined with economic evaluation using the EverBatt model reveals that this direct regeneration approach has high economic and environmental benefits.
Oxide Semiconductor for Advanced Memory Architectures: Atomic Layer Deposition, Key Requirement and Challenges
Oxide semiconductors (OSs), introduced by the Hosono group in the early 2000s, have evolved from display backplane materials to promising candidates for advanced memory and logic devices. The exceptionally low leakage current of OSs and compatibility with three-dimensional (3D) architectures have recently sparked renewed interest in their use in semiconductor applications. This review begins by exploring the unique material properties of OSs, which fundamentally originate from their distinct electronic band structure. Subsequently, we focus on atomic layer deposition (ALD), a core technique for growing excellent OS films, covering both basic and advanced processes compatible with 3D scaling. The basic surface reaction mechanisms—adsorption and reaction—and their roles in film growth are introduced. Furthermore, material design strategies, such as cation selection, crystallinity control, anion doping, and heterostructure engineering, are discussed. We also highlight challenges in memory applications, including contact resistance, hydrogen instability, and lack of p-type materials, and discuss the feasibility of ALD-grown OSs as potential solutions. Lastly, we provide an outlook on the role of ALD-grown OSs in memory technologies. This review bridges material fundamentals and device-level requirements, offering a comprehensive perspective on the potential of ALD-driven OSs for next-generation semiconductor memory devices.
Laser powder bed fusion of biodegradable Zn-4Cu alloy: Processing, microstructure and properties
Zn's natural degradability and biocompatibility make it a promising candidate for implants, however, its mechanical properties remain insufficient for bone applications. In this study, the performance of Zn was enhanced by developing Zn-Cu alloys via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Optimal LPBF parameters for forming stable tracks were achieved by adjusting laser power and scanning speed. Under optimized conditions of 100 W and 100 mm/s, high-density (99.58%) Zn-Cu alloys with improved hardness (68.2HV) and yield strength (160 MPa) were achieved. These improvements are attributed to solid solution strengthening, segregation strengthening, and grain refinement. The Zn-Cu alloys also demonstrated favorable degradation behavior, with a rate of 0.16 mm/year. This degradation is primarily driven by micro-galvanic corrosion between the CuZn5 phase and Zn matrix, along with refined grains and increased grain boundary density. This work demonstrates a viable strategy for fabricating Zn-based implants with enhanced structural integrity and mechanical performance via LPBF.