( <scp>B</scp> ) <scp>SAPO</scp> ‐11 as a support for <scp> Ni ₂ P </scp> catalyst for isoalkane production from methyl palmitate

Abstract BACKGROUND SAPO‐11 is known to be an active and selective component of isomerization catalysts. Ni 2 P/SAPO‐11 catalysts are promising in one‐step hydrodeoxygenation–hydroisomerization (HDO‐HIS) of fatty acid‐based feedstocks. But strong interaction with the support and inappropriate acidity can result in low activity and selectivity. Boron is a promising modifier which is capable of solving both of the problems. RESULTS SAPO‐11 powders were synthesized using different Si/Al ratios (0.05, 0.10, 0.15). Boron was used as a modifier ((B)SAPO‐11) to tune the acidity and surface properties of the materials (B/Al = 0.15). A 70:30 mass ratio of (B)SAPO‐11 and AlOOH was used to synthesize supports for Ni 2 P catalysts. The catalysts were prepared by in situ phosphidation of Ni/(B)SAPO‐11‐Al 2 O 3 and were tested in methyl palmitate HDO‐HIS in a continuous‐flow reactor at T = 290–340 °C, P = 2.0 MPa, LHSV = 5.3 h −1 , H 2 /liquid = 600 N cm 3 cm −3 . The supports and catalysts were studied using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, N 2 physisorption, NH 3 temperature‐programmed desorption, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and 11 B and 31 P solid‐state NMR. Boron was shown to decrease cracking activity resulting in higher yield of long‐chain alkanes. CONCLUSION The highest isomerization activity (80% iso‐C 15 –C 16 at 340 °C) was shown by the sample with Si/Al = 0.10 due to optimal amount of acid sites. Boron proved to be an efficient component to tune SAPO‐11 acidity and decrease cracking at 340 °C. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).