Bifunctional Pt-Mo catalyst for in situ hydrogenation of methyl stearate into alkanes using formic acid as a hydrogen donor

Biofuels have generated considerable interest as a direct substituent for fossil fuels due to the energy crisis and greenhouse effect. In this article, bifunctional Pt-Mo catalyst supported on activated carbon (AC) was fabricated for in situ hydrogenation of methyl stearate to alkanes using small amounts of formic acid (FA) as a hydrogen source. A total yield of 75.3% is obtained under 290 degrees C for 2 h with a small FA/methyl stearate mole ratio of 3.9. Prolonging the reaction time to 6 h results in a total yield of 100%. The experimental and characterization results indicate that the strong interaction of beta-Mo2C and Pt over Pt-Mo/AC catalysts give rise to excellent catalytic performance and that Pt active sites are responsible for FA dehydrogenation and decarbonylation of methyl stearate to heptadecane and Pt-doped beta-Mo2C active sites catalyzing hydrodeoxygenation of methyl stearate to octadenane. This catalyst is stable during three recycles and is versatile for various feedstocks.