ReOx promotes Ni cluster interactions on TiO to improve the activity and durability for green alkane and alcohol production at low temperature

Enhancing both the reactivity and stability of catalysts for the hydrogenation of bio-derived fatty acids is a formidable challenge. In this study, we developed a Ni-ReOx/TiO2 catalyst, featuring Ni metal clusters encapsulated by ReOx active sites anchored on the TiO2 surface, for the hydrogenation of bio-derived fatty acids. Remarkably, the Ni-ReOx/TiO2 catalyst with a relatively low Re loading (approximately 4.4 wt%) exhibited outstanding performance in fatty alcohol production at a reduced temperature of 165 °C (yield: 95.3%) and alkane production at 205 °C (yield: 100.0%), outperforming the Cu-ReOx/TiO2 catalyst. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations unveiled that the introduction of ReOx onto the anatase surface led to modifications in electronic distribution and enhanced the interaction between the support and the metal. By integrating the DFT calculations with experimental results, we elucidated the roles played by the Ni clusters and Re–O active sites in the Ni-ReOx/TiO2 catalyst: facilitating H2 dissociation, promoting acid adsorption, and ultimately contributing to acid hydrogenation conversion. The industrial-scale processes for alkane and alcohol production were designed and simulated using Aspen Plus, enabling a quantitative assessment of the remarkable reaction activity of the Ni-ReOx/P25 catalyst. Additionally, the Ni-ReOx/P25 catalyst demonstrated excellent stability over four recycling cycles, coupled with robust water tolerance, thus showcasing its immense potential for application in industrial fuel and fatty alcohol production.