Rate enhancement by Cu in NixCu1−x/ZrO2 bimetallic catalysts for hydrodeoxygenation of stearic acid. Issue 10 (30th April 2019) - Denk, Christoph
Abstract : The combination of Cu and Ni in bimetallic catalysts on ZrO2, leads to a more efficient HDO of stearic acid. Abstract : Hydrodeoxygenation of stearic acid on Ni/ZrO2 to n -heptadecane occurs via the reduction to 1-octadecanal, followed by decarbonylation of the aldehyde to n -heptadecane. Stearic acid binds stronger than 1-octadecanal on Ni, causing decarbonylation to start only once stearic acid is almost fully converted. This first step is enhanced by addition of Cu either in the form of Cu/ZrO2 or in the form of a ZrO2 supported Ni x Cu1− x nano-alloy. Cu has not only a higher activity for the reduction of stearic acid, it also increases the activity of Ni for decarbonylation of 1-octadecanal by increasing the electron density of Ni in the bimetal catalyst. The combination of these two effects leads to high activity of Ni–Cu bimetallic catalysts.