A novel linear core-shell structured mesoporous silica coated microfiber attapulgite (MPSCMFA) was prepared. Ni/MPSCMFA, i.e., MPSCMFA-supported nickel catalyst was subsequently prepared by thermally decomposing nickel tetracarbonyl on MPSCMFA. Benzyloxybenzene (BOB) was used as a related model compound to evaluate the catalytic activity of Ni/MPSCMFA for C - O bond cleavage. As a result, BOB was completely converted to toluene and phenol under pressurized hydrogen at 150 degrees C over Ni/MPSCMFA, suggesting that Ni/MPSCMFA is highly active for hydrocracking the C - O bond in BOB at low temperatures. Ni/MPSCMFA-catalyzed hydroconversion of rice straw powder (RSP) was also investigated. The results show that the resulting soluble portion (SP) has higher contents of carbon and hydrogen, but lower content of oxygen than RSP. Especially, C-4-C-9 alkanols are the dominant compounds in the SP (up to 70.77%). (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.