Mixed metal carbides for biomass upgrading.

Transition metal carbides are viable replacements for scare noble metal based catalysts. For example, it has been shown that transition metal carbides catalysts were active for decarboxylation/ decarbonylation and hydrodeoxygenation of triglyceride-based feedstock to alkanes and alkenes. Interestingly, when comparing the supported W-carbides to the supported Mo-carbides catalysts the former ones were more selective (>50%) towards the higher valued alkenes, while the latter were more active but less selective to the desired alkenes. In our research we want to combine the benefits of both catalysts by using mixed MoW carbides.