The production of chemicals or fuels from renewable biomass resources especially cellulose has attracted much attention because of the worldwide demand for less dependence on fossil resources. However

the direct utilization of cellulose is still a challenge because of its robust crystalline structure.Herein

the hydrogenation of cellobiose

a typical cellulose

over carbon nanotube supported ruthenium catalyst (Ru/CNT) was reported.The mechanism of cellobiose conversion was proposed and the kinetic equation was obtained.Based on the kinetic experiments carried out in the range 120—185℃ under 5.0 MPa H2

the reaction rate constants and activation energies of each reaction step in cellobiose hydrogenation were obtained with MATLAB

in which the activation energy for hydrolysis and hydrogenolysis of cellobiose was estimated as 147.1 kJ·mol-1 and 71.2 kJ·mol-1

respectively.The obtained kinetic model and some general rules on the catalytic hydrogenation of cellobiose may provide important data for efficient utilization of cellulose.