An unconventional DCOx favored Co/N-C catalyst for efficient conversion of fatty acids and esters to liquid alkanes

Cobalt (Co) catalysis has recently attracted significant attention in the field of biomass conversion. However, the fabrication of highly dispersive Co nanoparticles at high metal loading with selective facet exposure to achieve specific selectivity is still questionable. In this work, a nitrogen-doped carbon-supported Co catalyst is fabricated for efficient conversion of fatty acids and esters to liquid alkanes. Nitrogen-doping facilitates a highly uniform dispersion of Co nanoparticles even at a high Co loading of 10 wt% and after recycling for 5 runs. The Co/N-C catalyst affords an unconventional decarbonylation/decarboxylation (DCOx) dominant selectivity probably due to partial reduction of cobalt oxides to α-Co 0 with only exposure of the (111) facet. Co-existence of Co and N-C leads to strong Lewis acidity and basicity, facilitating the interaction between catalyst and –COOH group, and some important acid-catalyzed step-reactions. The versatility of the Co/N-C catalyst is demonstrated through conversion of various fatty acids and esters.