Hollow NiZn-ZnAl₂O₄ nanospheres with synergistic interface for selective hydrogenation of furfural

The development of efficient and stable non-toxic catalysts to replace toxic CuCrO_x for selective hydrogenation of furfural (FAL) to furfuryl alcohol (FOL) remains a key challenge. Herein, we report a citric acid-mediated spray-pyrolysis-reduction strategy that enables the facile synthesis of hollow-sphere NiZnAl catalysts with abundant and well-dispersed NiZn-ZnAl₂O₄ interfaces. The unique architecture ensures uniform elemental distribution and maximizes interfacial exposure, leading to exceptional catalytic performance: > 98% FAL conversion with 97% FOL selectivity under mild conditions, excellent recyclability, and broad substrate scope. Mechanistic studies reveal that the interfacial synergy promotes vertical FAL adsorption and raises the energy barrier for over-hydrogenation, thus dictating high selectivity. This work provides a generalizable interface-engineering approach for designing high-performance multifunctional catalysts in sustainable chemical transformations.