Preparation and characterization of Ni‐Agx/SBA‐15 and its catalytic properties on the hydrogenation of soybean oil

Ni‐Agₓ/SBA‐15 catalysts with different contents of the silver (Ag) promoter were prepared by the co‐impregnation method using the support of the mesoporous material SBA‐15. The Ni‐Agₓ/SBA‐15 catalysts were characterized by ICP‐OES, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms. The activity of the catalysts on hydrogenation of soybean oil was evaluated. The results indicated that all the catalysts retained the hexagonally ordered structure of SBA‐15, the binding force between SBA‐15 and Ni was enhanced by the addition of the Ag promoter, and Ni was well loaded on the surface and the interior of the support that was beneficial to the improvement of catalyst activity. TEM images of the catalysts show that the addition of the silver can promote the dispersion of nickel particles over and inside the mesoporous channels of the SBA‐15 support, and the aggregation of metal nickel particles was decreased. The catalysts of Ra‐Ni (Raney Nickel), Ni/SBA‐15 and Ni‐Agₓ/SBA‐15 were used in the hydrogenation of soybean oil. The results show that Ni‐Ag₀.₁₅/SBA‐15 in hydrogenation processing has higher catalytic activity, and the obtained hydrogenated soybean oil has low trans fatty acids (TFAs) content. The use efficiency of the catalyst decreased to 60% after 8 cycles. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The main objective of this work was to hydrogenate soybean oil. Very encouraging results were obtained with Ni‐Ag₀.₁₅/SBA15. This preparation had a higher catalyst activity to obtain low trans fatty acid content. This finding is very valuable for fat and oil processing at the industry level.