MOF-derived Co nanoparticle on nitrogen-rich carbon for fatty acid hydrotreatment into green diesel

The green diesel from lipid hydrotreatment can replace directly the fossil diesel. In order to solve the problem of Co agglomeration, Co nanoparticle on nitrogen-rich carbon (Co-NP/NC) was synthesized by using the Co-MOF as precursor. After tuning the method of Co-MOF preparation and the subsequent pyrolysis temperature, the preparation parameters of Co-NP/NC were optimized. At 220 °C, the oleic acid hydrotreatment over Co-NP/NC-1:20-400 catalyst attained 99.6% conversion and 99.6% alkane yield, much higher than that over traditional Co/AC (76.8% conversion and 14.9% total alkane yield). The apparent activation energy of octadecanol hydrotreatment over Co-NP/NC-1:20-500 was much lower than Co/AC (148.86 vs. 204.01 kJ/mol), further revealing the high catalytic performance of Co-NP/NC catalyst. From the characterizations of Co-NP/NC series catalysts, the highly dispersed Co nanoparticles with 4.37 nm, abundant pyridine nitrogen and pyrrole nitrogen as well as the layered morphology providing sufficient active area contributed the decent activity in lipid deoxygenation.