Core-shell Supported NiCo Bimetallic Catalysts with Alloying Synergy for Oleic Acid Hydrogenation to Bio‑jet Fuel

A core-shell ZSM-22@meso-SiO 2 support alleviates diffusion constraints for fatty acid hydrogenation. • NiCo alloy formation induces electron transfer from Co to Ni, optimizing the electronic properties. • Enhanced H 2 dissociation and H⁎ spillover over NiCo alloy boost the hydrogenation activity. • The 9Ni6Co/Z@MS catalyst achieves a superior bio-jet fuel yield of 57.2% from oleic acid. Reducing carbon emissions from the aviation sector represented a pressing environmental challenge, and the hydrogenation of vegetable oils to produce high‑value bio-jet fuel offered one of the most promising and economically viable pathways. Herein, we reported a novel bimetallic alloy catalyst with a tunable Ni/Co ratio, specifically designed for the selective hydrogenation of oleic acid to bio-jet fuel. This system delivered 100% conversion of oleic acid and a higher bio-jet fuel yield of 57.2%, while maintaining high iso-alkanes selectivity, which demonstrated superior performance compared to previously reported dazzling heterogeneous catalysts. The introduction of Co promoted the formation of a NiCo alloy phase and facilitated electron transfer from Co to Ni species. The resulting electronic and geometric synergies collectively enhance the dissociation and activation of H 2 , as well as the hydrogenation activity of substrates. Moreover, the Ni/Co ratio directly modulated the catalyst acidity, and the optimized acid properties played a critical role in the subsequent cracking and isomerization of deoxygenated intermediates. Collectively, these findings established a foundation for the rational design of efficient catalysts for bio-jet fuel production derived from oils. Download: Download high-res image (280KB) Download: Download full-size image