Carbon nanofibers supported molybdenum carbide catalysts for hydrodeoxygenation of vegetable oils

Abstract

Carbon nanofiber-supported molybdenum carbide catalysts (Mo₂C/CNF) with different loadings were prepared by the carbothermal hydrogen reduction method. Characterizations with Raman, XRD, N₂-TGA, SEM, TEM and HAADF-STEM confirmed that Mo₂C nanoparticles were successfully supported on the carbon nanofibers. The optimal reaction conditions with model compounds on Mo₂C/CNF had a conversion of 98.03% and yield of 95.26%. It is interesting to note that a low evaporation rate positions the Mo₂C nanoparticles on the outside of the CNF due to the capillary effect and the Mo₂C nanoparticles on the outside of the CNFs showed high catalytic activity compared to ones on the inside of the CNFs. The Mo₂C/CNF catalyst was recycled 5 times without any apparent loss of catalytic activity. Catalytic performances of Mo₂C/CNF, Mo₂C/AC (activated carbon) and Mo₂C/CNT (multi-walled carbon nanotubes) were examined using methyl palmitate and maize oil. The results showed that molybdenum carbide could be a potential substitute for noble metals in transformation of vegetable oils.