Catalytic Activity and Stability of Molybdenum Carbides in Aqueous Phase Hydrotreating of Acetic Acid

Molybdenum carbides showed excellent intrinsic activity in aqueous-phase hydrotreating of acetic acid in both fresh and hydrothermally aged states, outperforming a commercial ruthenium catalyst. Understanding the structural evolution of carbides under hot aqueous environments will provide insights necessary to design robust, active, and inexpensive catalysts for liquid-phase biomass conversion processes.