LAUSR

Abstract Fuel blending generally exhibits better low-temperature flow properties (i.e. low viscosity, low freezing point) than pure component fuel. Here, a fuel bending containing bicyclohexane and (cyclopentylmethyl)cyclohexane was synthesized directly by hydroisomerization of cyclohexylphenol to reduce the freezing point. The selectivity of (cyclopentylmethyl)cyclohexane formed by isomerization is enhanced through inhibiting the quick hydrogenation of intermediates using mixing acid catalyst and metal catalyst. Zeolite with strong Bronsted acid site and big surface area, such as HZSM-5 is better for the isomerization. Catalyzed by mixture of Pd/C and HZSM-5, the obtained fuel blending improves the freezing point from 2.6 °C to−22 °C compared with pure bicyclohexane, meanwhile keep the high density of 0.880 g/mL unchanged. The improved low-temperature property is contributed to the formation of (cyclopentylmethyl)cyclohexane. Moreover, the pathways of isomerization and its competition with hydrodeoxygenation are also investigated.