Mesoporous NiO/Al-SBA-15 catalysts for solvent-free deoxygenation of palm fatty acid distillate

A series of 5 wt% NiO/Al-SBA-15 catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation of ordered, mesoporous Al-SBA-15 supports (Si/Al molar ratios spanning 5–75) synthesised by a true liquid crystal templating (TLCT) method. The catalytic activity of the resulting catalysts was studied in the solvent-less, hydrogen-free deoxygenation (DO) of palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), using a semi-batch reactor at 350 °C. 27Al and 29Si MAS-NMR was used to quantify the speciation of framework and extra-framework Al as a function of Si:Al ratio, before and after NiO functionalisation; TEM and XRD confirmed the formation of 9–10 nm NiO nanoparticles in all cases. NiO/Al-SBA-15 catalysts exhibited excellent catalytic activity for PFAD deoxygenation, with hydrocarbon yields reaching 86% and a selectivity to the diesel fraction (C11C17) of 91%.