Dehydration of fatty alcohols on zirconia supported tungstate catalysts

Abstract

Zirconia supported tungstates catalyze octadecanol dehydration, an important step in the carbon preserving conversion of triglycerides to fuels. This study shows the dependence of the tetragonal zirconia phase of WO₃/ZrO₂ on the formation of Zr-stabilized WO₃ clusters, leading to the highest Brønsted acid site concentrations and in turn to the highest octadecanol dehydration rates. Small concentrations of Pt increased the Brønsted acid site concentrations by stabilizing partly reduced tungstates.