Highly efficient catalytic pyrolysis of biomass vapors upgraded into jet fuel range hydrocarbon-rich bio-oil over a bimetallic Pt–Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst

Abstract

Catalytic pyrolysis is an effective method for converting biomass to value-added chemicals. However, the development of cost-effective catalysts remains a major challenge. In this study, a highly efficient bimetallic Pt–Ni catalyst (Pt to Ni ratio = 0:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:0) was fabricated and used for catalytic biomass pyrolysis upgrading into hydrocarbon-rich bio-oil with pyrolysis-gaschromatography × gaschromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC∗ GC/MS). The product yield and selectivity of upgraded bio-oil, thermal properties, kinetic and deactivation mechanisms were also determined to investigate the reaction mechanism. It was determined that Pt addition strengthened the NiO and alumina interaction and improved nickel dispersion, promoting CO hydrogenation. Bimetallic catalysts had a higher stability and activity owing to synergistic action of platinum and nickel on γ-Al2O3, and the surface oxygen vacancies were derived from the electron transfer of Pt to Ni and the higher number of super acid-base sites, which inhibited coke deposition. In addition, the higher valence Pt (Pt2+) in the catalyst was favorable for decarboxylation and hydrodecarbonylation reactions. Various metal ratios were employed, and the Pt–Ni/Al = 1:2 catalyst exhibited an excellent catalytic performance, achieving highest peak areas of desired hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons at 52.67% and 40.25%, respectively, and the lowest peak area of deposited coke at 7.26%, along with a 13.98% weightloss rate.