Interaction between Pt nanoparticles and a bamboo charcoal support regulates hydrodeoxygenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural under mild conditions

A bifunctional catalyst (Pt_x/BC) was prepared using bamboo charcoal (BC) with high specific surface area and multi-level pores as a support. The hydrogenation sites and acidic sites in Pt_x/BC can be regulated by Pt loading. Under mild conditions of 120 °C, 0.5 h and 2 MPa H₂, Pt₁/BC achieved a DMF yield of 99.9%, which was 4 and 1.3 times that of Pt_0.5/BC and Pt₂/BC, respectively, while commercial Pt/C did not generate DMF. Characterization and DFT calculations indicate that Pt loading optimizes the electron density and content of Pt⁰, and enhances Lewis acidity. This is conducive to the activation of CO in HMF and C–O in the intermediate. Control experiments and DFT calculations confirm the reaction pathway.