Stabilization of metal particles in catalyst cavities under conditions of hydrotreating reactions of vegetable oils

• Grant number: 25/05382-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Leandro Pierroni Martins
• Grantee: Willian Max Oliveira de Souza de Santana
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/01953-3 - Materials applied to transformation of biomass in green diesel: from laboratory to pilot, AP.BIOEN.TEM

Abstract

The project aims to develop and evaluate nickel-based catalysts supported on hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolites, with different Si/Al ratios, for application in hydrotreatment reactions of vegetable oils aiming at the production of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), an advanced and sustainable biofuel. The motivation comes from the growing demand for renewable energy sources and the limitations associated with conventional biodiesel. HVO has a high energy value, good storage stability, and low pollutant emissions. The project focuses on the catalytic deoxygenation of model compounds, such as guaiacol and methyl laurate, as well as vegetable oils of diverse origins, including agro-industrial waste. The zeolites will be modified by desilication and impregnated with nickel, and the resulting catalysts will be extensively characterized regarding structure, texture, acidity, thermal stability and morphology. The catalytic activity will be evaluated in a batch reactor under hydrogen atmosphere, with conversion, selectivity and reaction frequency (TOF) analyses. It is expected to correlate the acid strength and structure of the catalysts with their performance, in addition to elucidating deactivation mechanisms by leaching.