Selective aqueous-phase hydrogenation of D-fructose into D-mannitol using a highly efficient and reusable Cu-Ni/SiO2 catalyst

•High Cu-Ni interaction was achieved through coprecipitation-deposition over SiO2 at constant pH.•CuNi/SiO2 has better catalytic performance than the corresponding monometallic catalysts.•Synergy between Cu and Ni improves catalytic performance in aqueous-phase fructose hydrogenation.•Original catalytic activity of CuNi/SiO2 can be recovered by treatment under H2 flow at 773 K.