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.
展开▼
