Effect of silica supports on deoxygenation of methyl palmitate over mesoporous silica-supported Ni/Al catalysts

•Effect of silica in silica-supported Ni/Al catalysts on deoxygenation was investigated for biojet fuel production.•Physicochemical properties of silica-supported Ni/Al were altered by pore structure, size, and acidity of silica support.•Deoxygenation of methyl palmitate was evaluated in correlation with controlled physicochemical properties of catalysts.•Ni/Al-SBA-15(40)at 60°C showed the best biojet fuel range hydrocarbon yield of 82.7% on deoxygenation of methyl palmitate.