PNNL

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. This work was funded by the Alpines AlgenKerosin (FKZ LaBay89A) project by the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy and the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts. J. A. L. was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES), Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences (Transdisciplinary Approaches to Realize Novel Catalytic Pathways to Energy Carriers, FWP 47319). Special gratitude is expressed to A. Brenig and A. Mühlbach for their help in performing experiments.