*Article* **MCM-41 Supported Co-Based Bimetallic Catalysts for Aqueous Phase Transformation of Glucose to Biochemicals**

**Somayeh Taghavi <sup>1</sup> , Elena Ghedini <sup>1</sup> , Federica Menegazzo <sup>1</sup> , Michela Signoretto 1,\* , Delia Gazzoli <sup>2</sup> , Daniela Pietrogiacomi <sup>2</sup> , Aisha Matayeva <sup>3</sup> , Andrea Fasolini <sup>3</sup> , Angelo Vaccari <sup>3</sup> , Francesco Basile <sup>3</sup> and Giuseppe Fornasari <sup>3</sup>**


Received: 22 June 2020; Accepted: 10 July 2020; Published: 15 July 2020

**Abstract:** The transformation of glucose into valuable biochemicals was carried out on different MCM-41-supported metallic and bimetallic (Co, Co-Fe, Co-Mn, Co-Mo) catalysts and under different reaction conditions (150 ◦C, 3 h; 200 ◦C, 0.5 h; 250 ◦C, 0.5 h). All catalysts were characterized using N<sup>2</sup> physisorption, Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR), Raman, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD) techniques. According to the N2-physisorption results, a high surface area and mesoporous structure of the support were appropriate for metal dispersion, reactant diffusion and the formation of bioproducts. Reaction conditions, bimetals synergetic effects and the amount and strength of catalyst acid sites were the key factors affecting the catalytic activity and biochemical selectivity. Sever reaction conditions including high temperature and high catalyst acidity led to the formation mainly of solid humins. The NH3-TPD results demonstrated the alteration of acidity in different bimetallic catalysts. The 10Fe10CoSiO<sup>2</sup> catalyst (MCM-41 supported 10 wt.%Fe, 10 wt.%Co) possessing weak acid sites displayed the best catalytic activity with the highest carbon balance and desired product selectivity in mild reaction condition. Valuable biochemicals such as fructose, levulinic acid, ethanol and hydroxyacetone were formed over this catalyst.

**Keywords:** glucose; biochemicals; MCM-41; bimetallic; reactivity; product selectivity
