Catalytic Activity of Ruthenium Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotubes for Hydrogenation of Soybean Oil

Abstract

AbstractRuthenium catalysts supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) with different loadings (1% wt, 3% wt, 5% wt) were prepared by reduction with H2 or NaBH4 for selective hydrogenation of soybean oil at 338 K and initial pressure of 1.066 MPa. These catalysts were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption–desorption, and H2‐temperature programmed desorption (TPD) techniques. Ru particles were dispersed more homogeneously on the surface of the nanotubes after being reduced with H2 than with NaBH4. The catalysts with 3% and 5% Ru loadings had higher hydrogenation activity. The NaBH4‐reduced catalyst had higher cis‐isomer selectivity.