A series of Ni/SiO 2 catalysts with different Ni content were prepared by sol-gel method for application in the synthesis of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF) by hydrogenation of 2-methylfuran (2-MF). The catalyst structure was investigated by Xray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and temperature programmed reduction (TPR). It is found that structures and catalytic performance of the catalysts were highly affected by the Ni content. The catalyst with a 25% Ni content had an appropriate size of the Ni species and larger BET surface area and produced a higher 2-MF conversion with enhanced selectivity in 2-MTHF
