Solvent-free dehydration, cyclization, and hydrogenation of linalool with a dual heterogeneous catalyst system to generate a high-performance sustainable aviation fuel

Abstract

Sustainable aviation fuels offer the opportunity to both reduce CO2 emissions and produce fuels with superior properties to conventional petroleum-based fuels. Here, the bio-based monoterpene linalool is converted into an aviation fuel mixture primarily composed of p-menthane and 2,6-dimethyloctane at moderate temperatures and pressures using a combination of Amberlyst-15 and Pd/C catalysts. The resulting fuel is demonstrated to have a higher gravimetric heat of combustion, and a lower viscosity compared to petroleum derived Jet-A.