Ni nanoparticle coupled surface oxygen vacancies for efficient synergistic conversion of palmitic acid into alkanes

The catalytic transformation of renewable biomass oil (mainly comprising fatty acids and triglycerides) into high-value alkanes is a versatile technique, Ni-based catalysts are considered to be the most suitable substitutes for precious metals. Ni nanoparticles supported on CeO2 carriers, prepared by hydrothermal synthesis (Ni/H-CeO2) with abundant oxygen vacancies, exhibited superior activity compared metal catalysts. For hydrodeoxygenation palmitic acid, Ni/H-CeO2 catalyst converted acid pentadecane 94.8% selectivity under mild reaction conditions. outstanding performance can attributed synergistic effect between activating hydrogen vacancies adsorbing from acid. improved interaction support, as confirmed density functional theory calculations. Therefore, were more conducive dispersion Ni, resulting in formation nanoparticles, which enhanced potential activation due increased number exposed electronic effects. high was governed small nanoparticles. This study provides novel strategy obtain an efficient converting biofuel.