Calcination‐Driven Structural Modulation of NiFe@C/SiO₂ Catalysts for Efficient Stearic Acid Hydrodeoxygenation

The synthesis of fatty alcohols is a critical process in the chemical industry, yet conventional methods often rely on toxic catalysts and energy‐intensive hydrogenation, raising environmental concerns. This study presents a sustainable approach for the catalytic hydrogenation–deoxygenation of stearic acid using NiFe@C/SiO 2 catalysts, synthesized through a simple in situ carbonization and reduction method without external hydrogen gas. The graphene layer formed during calcination effectively enhances catalyst stability by suppressing metal particle agglomeration and improving hydrogen adsorption and activation. Optimized catalysts achieved 95.6% conversion and 93.9% selectivity toward stearyl alcohol at 400°C, with the NiFe alloy confirmed as the active phase. The catalyst demonstrated excellent reusability, maintaining high activity over multiple cycles with minimal performance loss. These findings offer valuable insights into the design of stable, efficient, and environmentally friendly catalysts for hydrogenation–deoxygenation reactions, contributing to greener fatty alcohol synthesis.