Preparation of High‐Density Fuel Through Dimerization of β‐Pinene

High‐density fuel was prepared by catalytic dimerization and subsequent hydrogenation. Different amounts of phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40, HPW) were loaded on mesoporous silica (SBA‐15) by a simple impregnation method to prepare HPW/SBA‐15 catalysts. The prepared catalysts were mesoporous. Characterizations indicated that the dispersion and the specific surface area depend on the HPW amount. The obtained dimers from catalytic dimerization of β‐pinene underwent isomerization and then dimerized to form the heterogeneous products. At the optimum load of HPW, the HPW/SBA‐15 catalyst displayed the highest catalytic activity and the increased yield of dimer for a 3‐h reaction. After the subsequent hydrogenation reaction, the obtained hydrogenated dimer products displayed a density and a volume calorific value comparable to those of commercial JP‐10.