In-Situ Hydrodeoxygenation of Methyl Palmitate on a TiO₂–ZrO₂ Supported Ni₃Sn₂ Intermetallic Compound with Methanol as a Hydrogen Donor in the Aqueous Phase

Abstract

x:y) (x:y indicates the Ti/Zr atomic ratio), and Ni 3 Sn 2 /ZrO 2 catalysts were prepared by the sol−gel method and tested for in situ hydrodeoxygenation of methyl palmitate with methanol as the hydrogen donor. The Ni 3 Sn 2 intermetallic compound (IMC) is formed in all of the catalysts. The Ti−O−Zr bonds are generated in the TiO 2 −ZrO 2 mixed oxide, leading to more Lewis acid sites on Ni 3 Sn 2 /TiO 2 −ZrO 2 (x:y) than those on Ni 3 Sn 2 /TiO 2 and Ni 3 Sn 2 /ZrO 2 , and Lewis acid sites may contribute to the C−O bond cleavage. Especially, among the as-prepared catalysts, Ni 3 Sn 2 /TiO 2 −ZrO 2 (2:1) has the largest specific surface area and the smallest Ni 3 Sn 2 particles, subsequently giving rise to the highest activity for in situ hydrodeoxygenation. The decarbonylation pathway dominates on all of the supported Ni 3 Sn 2 IMC catalysts. At 330 °C, the yield of n-pentadecane on Ni 3 Sn 2 /TiO 2 −ZrO 2 (2:1) reaches 91.2%. Ni 3 Sn 2 /TiO 2 −ZrO 2 (2:1) shows slight deactivation after reaction for five times, mainly due to carbon deposition and the slight sintering of Ni 3 Sn 2 IMC particles.