Bifunctional CuNi/CoOx catalyst for mild-temperature in situ hydrodeoxygenation of fatty acids to alkanes using isopropanol as hydrogen source

•CumNin/CoOx was used for oleic acid hydrodeoxygenation with isopropanol.•100% conversion and 91.3% heptadecane yield were obtained at 240 °C for 8 h.•Strong synergy between Cu, Ni and CoOx favored H2 production ability.•The rate determining step relied on octadecanol dehydrogenation.•Oleic acid hydrodeoxygenation occurred via decarbonylation of stearaldehyde.