Effective conversion of heteroatomic model compounds in microalgae-based bio-oils to hydrocarbons over β-Mo2C/CNTs catalyst

Hydrotreatment of heteroatomic model compounds in microalgae-based bio-oils into diesel-like hydrocarbons was carried out over carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-supported β-Mo 2 C catalyst with superior activity and selectivity under a mild condition (≤200   °C). The results show that stearic acid and hexadecanamide can be completely converted into n -C 15 –C 18 alkanes over β-Mo 2 C/CNTs catalyst. The β-Mo 2 C/CNTs favors the pathway of hydrogenation–dehydration–hydrogenation to produce n -octadecane with an optimal yield of 91.24% at a lower temperature of 180   °C during hydrotreating process of stearic acid. The recycle tests demonstrate that the β-Mo 2 C/CNTs exhibits excellent stability, and can be reused for seven times consecutively without reduction of catalytic stability. Based on the determined products, a brief reaction pathway is proposed. Therefore, a novel approach to produce diesel-like hydrocarbons via catalytic hydrotreatment of microalgae-based bio-oils over β-Mo 2 C/CNTs is introduced, which provides a basic research as well as technical parameters for its further industrialization.