Interfacial Synergy in Ni–Co-based Heterojunction Catalysts for Low-Temperature Glucose Hydrogenation

The development of highly efficient nanocatalysts toward low-temperature glucose hydrogenation is still challenging but extremely desirable for underutilized biomass upgrading. Here, we develop LN 1– x C x O-R catalysts, comprising NiCo nanoalloys supported on defective La 2 O 3, derived from the controlled reduction of LaNi 1– x Co x O 3 perovskites. Combined experimental studies and density functional theory calculations reveal interfacial charge transfer between the NiCo alloy and La 2 O 3 . The resulting electron-deficient NiCo sites favor the facile dissociation of H 2, while the electron-rich La 2 O 3 support, enriched with oxygen vacancies, facilitates glucose adsorption and activation–collectively accelerating its conversion to sorbitol. Among the series, LN 0.8 C 0.2 O-R enables the efficient low-temperature hydrogenation of biomass-derived sugars, achieving a sorbitol productivity of 4.31 g Sor g Cat –1 h –1 and selectivity of 97.9% at 80 °C. This interfacial synergistic approach offers valuable insights for the rational design of high-performance heterojunction catalysts for low-temperature biomass conversion.