Synthesis and characterization of MCM-22 zeolites for the N2O oxidation of benzene to phenol. Impact of Zeolites and other Porous Materials on the new Technologies at the Beginning of the New Millennium, Proceedings of the 2nd International FEZA (Federation of the European Zeolite Associations) Conference. Elsevier; 2002. pp. 167-74. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-2991(02)80025-8]

Nanoporous materials as new engineered catalysts for the synthesis of green fuels

This review summarizes the importance of nanoporous materials and their fascinating structural properties with respect to the catalytic and photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to methane, toward achieving a sustainable energy supply. The importance of catalysis as a bridge step for advanced energy systems and the associated environmental issues are stressed. A deep understanding of the fundamentals of these nanoporous solids is necessary to improve the design and efficiency of CO₂ methanation. The role of the support dominates the design in terms of developing an efficient methanation catalyst, specifically with respect to ensuring enhanced metal dispersion and a long catalyst lifetime. Nanoporous materials provide the best supports for Ni, Ru, Rh, Co, Fe particles because they can prevent sintering and deactivation through coking, which otherwise blocks the metal surface as carbon accumulates. This review concludes with the major challenges facing the CO₂ methanation by nanoporous materials for fuel applications.

Behavior of Extraframework Fe Sites in MFI and MCM-22 Zeolites upon Interaction with N2O and NO

We report on the characterization of an isomorphously substituted Fe-MCM-22 sample containing both Fe and Al in framework positions (Si/Fe = 44, Si/Al = 25). XANES spectroscopy was used to study the evolution of Fe sites as a consequence of thermal activation at high temperature (1073 K) and subsequent oxidation with N2O. The results were compared to those obtained in the same conditions on a well-known Fe-silicalite sample (Si/Fe = 68, Si/Al = infinity). In both samples, thermal activation causes migration of a fraction of Fe ions from framework to extraframework positions, this migration being accompanied by a reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+. Upon oxidation with N2O at 523 K, the two samples show a different behavior. While in Fe-silicalite practically all of the Fe2+ sites formed by thermal activation are reoxidized to Fe3+, in Fe-MCM-22 only a fraction of the extraframework iron sites is involved in the reoxidation process. The accessibility of the extraframework Fe sites was also investigated by using the NO molecule as a surface probe. Upon NO dosage on the sample, the modification of the pre-edge peak and of the edge position suggests an important charge release from the extraframework Fe2+ ions to the adsorbed molecules. This could be formalized with the formation of Fe3+(NO-) complexes, compatible (on the basis of the simple molecular orbital theory) with a bent NO geometry. The formation of a complex family of Fe2+ mono-, di-, and trinitrosyl complexes was also confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. Similarly to what was observed in the oxidation experiments, the fraction of extraframework Fe sites able to interact with NO in Fe-MCM-22 sample is smaller than that in Fe-silicalite treated in the same conditions. This trend is explained with a major clustering of extraframework Fe sites in Fe-MCM-22 sample, as was also suggested by FTIR experiments. These results suggest that the dispersion of iron in zeolitic matrixes prepared by isomorphous substitution could also depend on the zeolitic structure.

Framework Composition Effects on the Performance of Steam-Activated FeMFI Zeolites in the N2O-Mediated Propane Oxidative Dehydrogenation to Propylene

The N(2)O-mediated oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODHP) to propylene has been investigated in the temperature range of 673-773 K over steam-activated FeMFI zeolites with different framework compositions (Si-Al, Si-Ga, Si-Ge, and pure Si). The catalysts, which were characterized by ICP-OES, XRD, SEM, N(2) adsorption, NH(3)-TPD, and FTIR of pyridine adsorbed, HRTEM, and UV/vis, have a very similar iron content (0.6-0.7 wt %). A tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) coupled to on-line analysis of products has been applied to simultaneously monitor activity and mass changes during the ODHP reaction. FeAlMFI and FeGaMFI zeolites display higher propylene yields (up to 25%) and a much slower deactivation due to coking than do FeGeMFI and FeMFI zeolites. The higher density and strength of acid sites in the former samples did not induce a faster catalyst deactivation. In general, catalyst deactivation was accelerated upon decreasing the reaction temperature. The total amount of coke formed in the samples during 400 min on stream ranged from 6 to 23 wt %, increasing linearly with the amount of propylene produced. The distinct performance of both groups of zeolites is likely related to the different iron speciation, which is influenced by the composition of the framework. The smaller primary crystallites of FeAlMFI and FeGaMFI, as well as the presence of mesopores in these samples, which are created by dislodgement of aluminum and gallium to extraframework positions, appear to be also beneficial for higher catalyst effectiveness and a reduced deactivation.