Catalytic Activity of Ruthenium Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotubes for Hydrogenation of Soybean Oil

Ruthenium catalysts supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) with different loadings (1% wt, 3% wt, 5% wt) were prepared by reduction with H₂ or NaBH₄ for selective hydrogenation of soybean oil at 338 K and initial pressure of 1.066 MPa. These catalysts were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption, and H₂-temperature programmed desorption (TPD) techniques. Ru particles were dispersed more homogeneously on the surface of the nanotubes after being reduced with H₂ than with NaBH₄. The catalysts with 3% and 5% Ru loadings had higher hydrogenation activity. The NaBH₄-reduced catalyst had higher cis-isomer selectivity.