Water-mediated promotion of the catalytic conversion of oleic acid to produce an alternative fuel using Pt/C without a H₂ source

Preadsorbed water, along with the surrounding environment, significantly modulated the catalytic performance of Pt/C in the conversion of oleic acid to heptadecane. After adsorbing 20 wt% and 30 wt% H₂O, the yield of heptadecane increased from 60% over the dried Pt/C to 65% and 70%, respectively. The preadsorbed water on Pt/C increased the acidity and adsorption properties of hydrotropic species, such as carboxyl ([sbnd]COOH), therefore, increasing catalytic performance. This could lead to facile improvement in the efficiency of catalyst performance without complicated or expensive surface modulation.