Ruthenium (Ru) supported on activated
carbon (AC) and
carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was carried out in the hydrogenolysis of
sorbitol to
ethylene glycol (EG) and
1,2-propanediol (1,2-PD) under the promotion of
tungsten (WOx) species and different bases. Their catalytic activities and
glycols selectivities strongly depended on the support properties and location of Ru on CNTs, owning to the altered
metal-support interactions and electronic state of
ruthenium. Ru located outside of the tubes showed excellent catalytic performance than those encapsulated inside the nanotubes. Additionally, the introduction of WOx into Ru/CNTs significantly improved the hydrogenolysis activities, and a complete conversion of
sorbitol with up to 60.2% 1,2-PD and EG yields was obtained on RuWOx/CNTs catalyst upon addition of Ca(
OH)2. Stability study showed that this catalyst was highly stable against leaching and
poisoning and could be recycled several times.