Effective deoxygenation of palm kernel oil to bio-jet fuel over iron-molybdenum supported on activated carbon derived from bamboo biomass

Decarbonizing aviation requires sustainable alternatives to fossil-based jet fuels, driving the urgent need for efficient bio-jet fuel (BJF) production from renewable feedstocks. Palm kernel oil (PKO), an abundant and underutilized biomass resource, presents a promising pathway for sustainable fuel synthesis. In this study, catalytic deoxygenation (DO) of PKO was performed under a hydrogen-free environment using Fe–Mo catalysts supported on bamboo-derived activated carbon (ACB). To optimize metal–support interactions, Fe/Mo ratios of 1:1, 2:1, and 1:2 were investigated. Among the formulations, FeMo/ACB exhibited the highest surface area (1796.90 m²/g) and strong acidity (2965.01 µmol/g), resulting in superior DO activity with ~ 85% hydrocarbon yield and 87% selectivity toward jet fuel–range hydrocarbons (C8–C16). The catalyst also demonstrated excellent reusability over six consecutive cycles, maintaining hydrocarbon yields of 34–93% and BJF selectivity of 83–92%. Kinetic deactivation studies identified coke deposition as the primary factor in activity loss during prolonged operation. Overall, the FeMo/ACB catalyst shows outstanding efficacy, stability, and recyclability, underscoring its strong potential for commercial-scale BJF production.

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