ZSM-5-Supported Graphene-Encapsulated Nickel Nanoparticles: Formation, Properties, and Exceptional Performance in Lipid Hydrogenation

Abstract

Graphene-encapsulated nickel nanoparticles (Ni@C) were loaded on Zeolite Socony Mobil (ZSM)-5 for lipid hydrogenation to produce biojet fuel. Ni@C and ZSM-5 exhibit an efficient and synergistic catalytic activity, and the strong chemical interaction between graphene and nickel significantly improves the hydrogenation capacity of the catalyst. The graphene layers strengthened the dispersion of nickel, reduced the size of Ni@C to ∼3.6 nm, and kept the valence state of nickel at 0. According to the hydrogenation tests, the conversion of oleic acid to jet fuel could reach 98.59% with only 3 wt % nickel loading amount. Furthermore, Ni@C/ZSM-5 shows excellent resistance to nickel agglomeration and loss.

Hydrodeoxygenation of Fatty Acid Esters over Nitrogen-Functionalized Bimetallic Oxides Catalyst

“…25,26 In addition, supported non-noble metal catalysts and metal oxides have also been focused due to their low cost and high catalytic activity. 27,28 For example, Ni/HBeta catalyst was tested in the catalytic hydro-processing of microalgae oil, resulting in a yield of 99% diesel. 29 Li et al 30 reported that the NiO−LiZSM-5 catalyst exhibited higher catalytic activity than that of Ni-LiZSM-5 in the HDO of oleic acid.…”