Heterogenization of Heteropolyacid with Metal-Based Alumina Supports for the Guaiacol Gas-Phase Hydrodeoxygenation

Because of the global necessity to decrease CO₂ emissions, biomass-based fuels have become an interesting option to explore; although, bio-oils need to be upgraded, for example, by catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), to reduce oxygen content. This reaction generally requires bifunctional catalysts with both metal and acid sites. For that purpose, Pt-Al₂O₃ and Ni-Al₂O₃ catalysts containing heteropolyacids (HPA) were prepared. HPAs were added by two different methods: the impregnation of a H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ solution onto the support and a physical mixture of the support with Cs_2.5H_0.5PW₁₂O₄₀. The catalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Infrared, UV-Vis, Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and NH₃-TPD experiments. The presence of H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ was confirmed by Raman, UV-Vis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, while the presence of Cs_2.5H_0.5PW₁₂O₄₀ was confirmed by all of the techniques. However, HPW was shown to strongly interact with the supports, especially in the case of Pt-Al₂O₃. These catalysts were tested in the HDO of guaiacol, at 300 °C, under H₂ and at atmospheric pressure. Ni-based catalysts led to higher conversion and selectivity to deoxygenated compound values, such as benzene. This is attributed to both a higher metal and acidic contents of these catalysts. Among all tested catalysts, HPW/Ni-Al₂O₃ was shown to be the most promising, although it suffered a more severe deactivation with time-on-stream.

Modification of SBA-15 mesoporous silica as an active heterogeneous catalyst for the hydroisomerization and hydrocracking of n-heptane

In this study, a mesoporous SBA-15 silica catalyst was prepared and modified with encased 1% platinum (Pt) metal nanoparticles for the hydrocracking and hydroisomerization of n-heptane in a heterogeneous reaction. The textural and structural characteristics of the nanostructured silica, including both encased and non-encased nanoparticles, were measured using small-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption porosimetry, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Catalytic testing was carried out in a plug-flow reactor under highly controlled operating conditions involving the reactant flow rate, pressure, and temperature. Gas chromatography was used to analyze the species as they left the reactor. The results demonstrated that 1% Pt/SBA-15 has a high n-heptane conversion activity (approximately 85%). Based on the results of this experimental work, there is no selectivity in the SBA-15 catalysts for isomerization products because they are inactive at the relatively low temperature that is essential for hydroisomerization. On the other hand, the SBA-15 catalysts have a considerable selectivity for products that have cracks, owing to their ability to withstand extremely high temperatures (300–400 ​°C) as well as the availability of Lewis acid sites within the catalyst structure.

n-Butane Isomerization over Silica-Supported Heteropolyacids: Study of Some Parameters

Isomerization of n-butane was studied on silica-supported heteropolyacids. The activity depends strongly on the solvent used for the preparation and on the polyoxometalate loading. This behavior was explained by different proportions of isolated and bulk heteropolyacids. Silicotungstic acid is inherently more selective than phosphotungstic acid. In presence of platinum and hydrogen the catalysts are stable and highly selective (more than 97%) to isobutane. A study as a function of temperature shows that there is an optimal temperature for performing the reaction.

A comparative review of petroleum-based and bio-based acrolein production

Acrolein is an important chemical intermediate for many common industrial chemicals, leading to an array of useful end products. This paper reviews all the synthetic methods, including the former (aldol condensation) and contemporary (partial oxidation of propylene) manufacturing methods, the partial oxidation of propane, and most importantly, the bio-based glycerol-dehydration route. Emphasis is placed on the petroleum-based route from propylene and the bio-based route from glycerol, an abundantly available and relatively inexpensive raw material available from biodiesel production. This review provides technical details and incentives for industrial proyduction that justify a transition toward bio-based acrolein production.

Assembling of 12-Tungstophosphoric Acid into Amino-Modified SBA-15 and its Catalytic Performance

12-tungstophosphoric acid was supported on amine-modified SBA-15 by impregnation. The structure and properties of the catalyst were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption-desorption, TEM,Raman spectra and NH3–TPD technology.the result confirmed the mesostructure for SBA-15 and the Keggin structure of the heteropolyanions was preserved. The tungstophosphoric acid can disperse in the pore of the support SBA-15/NH2, but the acidity of the catalyst reduced. The catalytic activities of the catalysts were evaluated for the esterification reaction of ethyl acetoacetate and ethylene glycol .and the catalysts supported on amine-modified SBA-15 show excellent reusability and selectivity.

A study of the decomposition behaviour of 12-tungstophosphate heteropolyacid in solution

In this paper, the decomposition of H3PW12O40 in aqueous solution or in mixed solutions of water–ethanol or water–acetone is investigated by potentiometric titration and 31P NMR. Identification of the products from H3PW12O40 decomposition over a pH range of 1–12 was achieved using preparation high performance liquid chromatography (Pre-HPLC) combined with IR, UV–vis spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP). It is found that H3PW12O40 in aqueous solution decomposes in a stepwise fashion with increasing pH, with the following solution compositions: [PW12O40]3– (at pH ~ 1) [Formula: see text] [PW12O40]3– + [P2W21O71]6– + [PW11O39]7– (at pH 2.2) [Formula: see text] [PW12O40]3– + [P2W21O71]6– + [PW11O39]7– + [P2W18O62]6– + [P2W19O67]10– (at pH 3.5) [Formula: see text] [P2W21O71]6– + [PW11O39]7– + [P2W18O62]6– (at pH 5.4) [Formula: see text] [PW9O34]9– (at pH 7.3) [Formula: see text] PO43– + WO42– (pH > 8.3). In the first stages at pH < 8, H3PW12O40 decomposes partially with removal of W=O units. In the second stage at pH > 8, tungstophosphoric completely decomposes to PO43–. In contrast, the decomposition of H3PW12O40 is reduced, or the stability of the [PW12O40]3– anion is enhanced, in ethanol–water or acetone solution at pH < 8. Key words: 12-tungstophosphate heteropolyacid, decomposition behaviour, potentiometric titration, 31P NMR, preparation high performance liquid chromatography.

Catalytic Properties of Silica-supported 12-Molybdophosphoric Acid in the Conversion of 2-Propanol

A technical silica gel was impregnated with a solution of the titled heteropoly acid (1–20 w/w%) and calcined at 400, 600 or 800 °C. Dehydration of the alcohol generally increased with the loaded acid, and decreased almost linearly with the reaction temperature (360–260°C). The best alcohol decomposition was achieved over the 600°C-calcined catalysts when over 90% conversion to propene was attained. The apparent activation energies decreased with the degree of loading and attained a value of 22 kJ/mol on the 600°C-calcined 20% HPMo-supported catalyst (half that on the solids calcined at 400°C and 800°C). The catalytic dehydration cannot be described by means of a proton-involved mechanism on the severely treated catalysts at ≥600°C. An outer surface mechanism might be effective involving terminal oxygens and MoV ions.

Changes in the Surface Area of Silica-supported 12-Molybdophosphoric Acid in Relation to the Degree of Loading and the Calcination Temperature

A technical silica gel (Grace-113) was impregnated with 12-molybdophosphoric solution to attain loadings of 0.72–13.4 wt.%. The air-dried solids were then calcined for 3 h at 400, 600 and 800°C, respectively, followed by determination of their N2 adsorption isotherms. The silica gel was thermally stable and suffered about 15% loss in area at 800°C. The impregnated silicas showed considerable decrease in surface area as a function of their heteropoly acid content. Two processes are suggested as taking part in the modification of pore structure: (1) diffusion of the aqueous heteropoly acid solution and its subsequent deposition; and (2) dissolution of silica gel in the acidic aqueous solution followed by interaction with HPMo to form either molybdosilicate or P–Si exchange products. Correlation with the previously studied catalytic conversion of isopropanol indicated that the activity was independent of the surface area. Catalytic dehydration on the 600°C and 800°C products seems to be associated with silicate, molybdate or MoO3 surface species rather than being due to surface acidity or the extent of the surface area.