Highly Active Mesoporous Zirconium Nitride Immobilized on SiO2 Synthesized by Complex-Assisted Method with EDTA and KHP for Catalytic Hydroconversion of Crude Palm Oil

This research aims to transform crude palm oil (CPO) into biofuels through a catalytic hydrocracking method using a SiO₂–ZrN catalyst prepared by the chelate-assisted EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), denoted as SiO₂–ZrN2 and KHP (potassium hydrogen phthalate), denoted as SiO₂–ZrN3 catalysts, respectively. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDX mapping, PSA, gravimetric acidity analysis, and N₂ adsorption–desorption. The transformation of SiO₂–Zr to SiO₂–ZrN through the nitriding treatment was able to change the particle size distribution of the catalyst from heterogeneous to homogeneous, as well as enhance the acidity the acidity and textural features with a highly dispersed ZrN on the silica. CPO hydrocracking test revealed that SiO₂–ZrN prepared by chelate-assisted EDTA and KHP achieved high catalytic activity towards CPO hydroconversion followed by high liquid and low coke formation with an adequate stability performance. SiO₂–ZrN successfully suppressed the formation of long-chain into short-chain hydrocarbon. Both SiO₂–ZrN2 and SiO₂–ZrN3 each exhibited a high fraction towards aviation fuel compared to parent SiO₂ and SiO₂–Zr.