Promotional effect of metallic Co and Fe on Ni-based catalysts for p-cresol deoxygenation

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) 2022-08, Vol.321, p.124033, Article 124033
• Main Authors: Lu, Kun-Lang, Yin, Fan, Wei, Xian-Yong, Li, Jia-Hao, Li, Zhuang, Fan, Zi-Chun, Zong, Zhi-Min
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysts; Cobalt; Cresol; Deoxygenation; Direct deoxygenation; Electron migration; Electronic structure; Hydrodeoxygenation; Intermediates; Iron; Methylcyclohexane; Oxygen vacancy; P-Cresol; Toluene; Zirconium dioxide
• ISSN: 0016-2361; 1873-7153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2022.124033

The introduction of Co and Fe in Ni-based catalyst promoted deoxygenation of p-cresol by regulating the content of active sites, i.e., MOx-OV-Zr3+ and Ni0. [Display omitted] •Introducing Co and Fe to Ni15/ZrO2 changed the catalyst electronic structure.•Ni15Co5/ZrO2 and Ni15Fe5/ZrO2 exhibited different direct deoxygenation performance.•Oxygen vacancy facilitates the adsorption and activation of p-cresol.•Ni0 plays crucial role in hydrogenating p-cresol and its intermediates. Ni15Co5/ZrO2, Ni15Fe5/ZrO2, and Ni15/ZrO2 were applied for p-cresol deoxygenation. After p-cresol deoxygenation under 2 MPa of initial H2 pressure at 300 °C for 2 h, the yields of toluene and p-methylcyclohexane were up to 34.9 mol% over Ni15Co5/ZrO2 and 68.7 mol% over Ni15Fe5/ZrO2, respectively. The deoxygenation activity of these catalysts was controlled by their direct deoxygenation and hydrogenation factors according to the kinetic study. Introducing metallic Co or Fe changed the electronic structure of the catalyst surface, leading to different contents of MOx-OV-Zr3+ (oxygen vacancy) and Ni0. MOx-OV-Zr3+ could significantly promote the adsorption and activation of p-cresol, while Ni0 is active for hydrogenating p-cresol and its intermediates.