• • Ni8Co2/NC-Al2O3 achieved 100% guaiacol conversion and 99.9% cyclohexane selectivity at 240°C and 1 MPa H2 for 4 h, outperforming monometallic Ni10 and Co10 catalysts, demonstrating a synergistic enhancement in hydrogenation and deoxygenation activities.
• • The catalyst exhibited excellent stability, maintaining high catalytic activity after four recycle tests, indicating robust structural integrity for potential industrial reuse.
• • Characterization confirmed the formation of a stable NiCo alloy phase with electron transfer from Ni to Co, optimizing hydrogen adsorption properties and facilitating C−O bond cleavage.
• • The study provides a design strategy for non-noble metal HDO catalysts, achieving performance comparable to noble metal systems under mild conditions, which is critical for cost-effective bio-oil upgrading.