Effect of support hydrophobicity of halloysite-based catalysts on the polyalphaolefin hydrofinishing performance

Hydrogenation of polyalphaolefins (PAOs) is an industrial process catalyzed by supported precious metals. In this regard, halloysite (Hal) clay has been proven as an efficient support for the immobilization of Pd nanoparticles and development of high-performance catalysts under mild reaction condition. In this research, the effect of Hal hydrophobicity on the PAO hydrofinishing efficiency is studied. In this line, cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) was used for adjusting the hydrophobicity of halloysite surface. Three catalysts, Hal/Pd, Hal/Pd/CTAB, and Hal/CTAB/Pd, were fabricated by palladation of Hal, treating palladated Hal with CTAB and palladation of CTAB-treated Hal, respectively. The catalysts were characterized, and their activity for the hydrogenation of PAO was appraised. Moreover, a molecular simulation approach was employed to survey the effect of surface hydrophobicity of Hal on the alkene hydrogenation energy diagram and the steric maps of the main catalytic stages. Both experimental and computational studies approved that the presence of CTAB detracts the activity of the catalyst. Moreover, the order of introduction of Pd and CTAB affects the content of incorporated CTAB and Pd and Pd particle size, and the order of catalysts activity was as follows: Hal/Pd > Hal/Pd/CTAB > Hal/CTAB/Pd. In fact, 5 wt.% Hal/Pd promoted the hydrogenation at 130°C and hydrogen pressure of 8 bar to furnish 98% hydrogenated PAO.