Hydrogenation of sunflower oil over Pt–Ni bimetallic supported catalysts: Preparation, characterization and catalytic activity

• Bimetallic NiPt supported catalysts produce hydrogenated oil of low trans content.
• The preparation method is important for the overall activity.
• Surface redox reaction minimizes the blocking effect.

It has been reported that in order to improve sunflower oil hydrogenation catalysts the geometric or electronic effects of the catalysts must be manipulated in order to achieve the desired activity or selectivity. To achieve this, the development of an active and selective bimetallic catalyst was undertaken. An innovative approach was taken to synthesize Pt–Ni catalysts supported on mesoporous silica using the surface redox reaction (Srr) technique. It was determined that the Srr preparation method resulted in better activity and lower selectivity towards trans isomer than the traditional successive and co-impregnation bimetallic impregnation techniques. The change in selectivity can be explained by a promoter electronic effect generated by the close proximity of a second metal on the catalysts surface and from a geometric effect due to the incorporation of the Ni on the surface. All the bimetallic catalysts showed a drop in the formation of trans compared to the monometallic catalyst.

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