This paper reports the continuous reductive amination of different molecules, including biomass-related compounds, over carbon-supported FeNi nanoparticles obtained on the basis of inexpensive and abundant metal precursors and cellulose. A biorefinery case study for the preparation of pyrrolidones via acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of glucose followed by reductive amination of the obtained levulinic acid is described.

Carbon supported FeNi nanoparticles were prepared by carbothermal reduction of cellulose filter paper impregnated with Fe and Ni salts. The resulting carbon enwrapped alloy nanoparticles were employed as an efficient catalyst for the continuous hydrogenation of molecules obtainable from different fractions of lignocellulosic biomass. Scaleup and time on stream tests over 80 hours proved the catalyst stable and durable of over a wide range of conditions.

Alkali lignin has been accumulated as a by-product mixed with barium salts during the hydrothermal treatment of rye straw with Ba(OH)2. Direct heat treatment followed by acid washing of such mineralized lignin were performed in order to obtain a porous material that was further exploited for the synthesis of a carbonaceous supported FeNi nanoparticle composite as active catalysts for continuous hydrogenation

A fast method for the preparation of block-copolymer-based hybrid composite nanostructures and titania substrates well oriented over a large area, is illustrated.