**3.5 Catalyst activity**

The catalyst activity test was carried out through the hydrotreating process. The hydrotreating process was carried out to determine the ability of the catalyst to convert the resulting α-cellulose from pyrolysis into a liquid fraction in the form of a more functional chemical. The analysis was carried out by determining the percentage of the liquid fraction produced as the main target, as well as the gas and coke fractions. The results of product distribution through the hydrotreating process can be seen in **Table 8**.

Based on **Table 8**, the catalytic hydrotreating process produces a higher liquid fraction than the liquid fraction without a catalyst (thermal). This is in accordance with the statement of [23] that the use of a catalyst in the hydrotreating process can increase the percentage of liquid fraction and product quality. Thermal hydrotreating and catalytic hydrotreating occur via different mechanisms. Thermal hydrotreating occurs through a free radical mechanism so that it is easier to produce products with short carbon chains and are gaseous in form. On the other hand, catalytic hydrotreating occurs through the carbonium ion mechanism which is easier to produce a liquid fraction with a long enough carbon chain.

The hydrotreating catalytic data in **Table 8** shows that the catalyst after being treated with a base produces a higher liquid fraction than the catalyst before being treated with a base. This is due to an increase in the pore distribution of higher meso size after alkaline treatment along with the increase in the Si/Al ratio of mordenite catalyst. However, the BAM0.5 catalyst has a high mean pore diameter of meso compared to other catalysts, but produces a lower liquid fraction, this is due to a significant decrease in the number of acid sites at high Si/Al ratios. Therefore, the activity of a catalyst is not only determined by the pore diameter but also by the number of acid sites possessed by the catalyst. Increased activity in dealumination of mordenite was observed by [24], as well as [25], in a study using mordenite to convert m-xylene, where there was a decrease in m-xylene conversion in replicated mordenite due to a decrease in the concentration of the acid site.
