To recover valuable products from biomass, bifunctional
catalysts
(N-Fe/BC) capable of microwave absorption and oriented production
of phenolics were prepared by a one-pot method involving the microwave-induced
K2FeO4. Its catalytic performances were evaluated,
and the catalytic mechanism was explored using a model compound and
DFT calculations. The cycle performance and deactivation mechanism
were investigated. N-Fe/BC possessed a large S
BET value (265.21 m2 g–1), good
pore distribution, and abundant Fe and N species, resulting in good
dielectric and catalytic properties. After catalysis, the heating
rates reached 63.78–107.84 °C min–1,
and the selectivity and yield of phenol-enriched bio-oil improved
significantly, reaching maximum values of 80.28% and 38.09 wt % at
550 °C with 20 wt % N-Fe/BC, respectively. Model compound experiments
and DFT calculations showed that N-Fe/BC directionally generated phenolics
by changing the reaction path and forming “hot spots”
that stimulated the catalytic reforming of oxygen-containing compounds.
The catalytic performance decreased slightly after five cycles, due
to active site loss, carbon deposition, and pore collapse.