Anchoring Ru Active Sites on N−CNTs for an Improved One‐pot Cellobiose Conversion

Abstract In this contribution, N‐doped carbon nanotubes were obtained through nitrogen plasma treatment and used as the anchoring sites for Ru catalysts in one‐pot cellobiose conversion to hexitols. XPS and HR TEM‐EDS analysis revealed a successful introduction of N on CNTs using 300 min nitrogen plasma treatment. Both the activation ability and the amount of activated H₂ were improved by the N‐anchored Ru active phase, leading to a much‐enhanced hexitols yield. The hexitols yield reached 91.5% on Ru/CNT−P‐t300 catalyst, being substantially higher than those on Ru/AC (56.84%) and Ru/CNT (76.84%). DFT simulation results verified the enhanced H₂ activation ability. The Eb value of the Ru4 cluster binds with (5, 5) CNT and (5, 5) N−CNT was −4.11 and −4.66 eV, respectively, suggesting that the graphitic‐N engaged as the anchoring sites for Ru via strong interaction. The research highlights a green and facile strategy to dope N element as the anchoring sites for noble metal catalyst in improving H₂ activation capability for a broad hydrogenation application.