Glycerol Upgrading over Zeolites by Batch-Reactor Liquid-Phase Oligomerization: Heterogeneous versus Homogeneous Reaction

Glycerol upgrading to diglycerols in the presence of basic (Na⁺ or Cs⁺) ion-exchanged (FAU or BEA) zeolite catalysts was studied in a liquid-phase batch rector at 260 °C under normal pressure. Homogeneous NaHCO₃ and CsHCO₃ catalysts were studied for comparison. All the catalysts, including NaHCO₃ and CsHCO₃, displayed the same conversion–selectivity relationship. The selectivity to linear diglycerols decreased at higher conversions/reaction times owing to the consecutive formation of higher oligomers, with preferential further conversion of α,α′-diglycerol. The maximum yield of linear diglycerols was limited to about 30 %. The activities of the zeolites followed the order X>Y>Beta, independent of the alkali ion present. Catalysis by the zeolites starts with an induction period attributed to a slow leaching of alkaline cations from the zeolite. Thereafter, the reaction is characterized by a progressive loss of the microporous structure of the zeolite and increasing overlap of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, where, primarily, the activity depends on the cation content of the zeolite.     

Tailoring Hierarchical Zeolites with Designed Cationic Surfactants and Their High Catalytic Performance

Three hierarchical porous zeolites (H‐*BEA, H‐MTW, and H‐*MRE) were successfully synthesized with the assistance of designed cationic surfactants under hydrothermal synthesis conditions. The as‐synthesized zeolite samples can be easily regulated by changing the number of long hydrophobic n ‐alkyl chains. Also, we investigated the relationship between the length of the surfactant and the formation of the microporous structure of the zeolite. Furthermore, the alkylation of benzene with propene was performed as a probe reaction to evaluate the catalytic performance of the synthesized hierarchical zeolites. The resulting materials were characterized by using a complementary combination of techniques, that is, X‐ray powder diffraction, N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, ²⁸Si and ²⁷Al MAS NMR spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis, and computer simulation. These analysis results indicated that quaternary ammonium surfactants acted as organic structure‐directing agents (OSDAs) in the formation of these hierarchical zeolite samples, whether the surfactant had long hydrophobic tail groups or not. The simulation results indicated that the organic molecules with no long hydrophobic chain could lead to the synthesis of zeolite through charge control, and the hydrophobic molecules with long hydrophobic chains could form zeolites through orbital control. These hierarchical zeolites showed improved catalytic activity towards the industrially relevant alkylation of benzene with propene compared with conventional zeolites with the same frameworks. More importantly, the success of using quaternary ammonium surfactants with no hydrophobic n ‐alkyl tail group in the synthesis of hierarchically structured mesoporous zeolites provides a new pathway for the synthesis of hierarchical porous materials by a soft‐templating method.     

Application of Different Zeolites for Improvement of the Characteristics of a pH‐FET Biosensor Based on Immobilized Urease

Different modifications of the zeolites Na⁺‐Beta and LTA were applied for improving the working characteristics of a urea biosensor. The bioselective membrane of the biosensor was based on urease and different zeolites co‐immobilized with bovine serum albumin on the surface of a pH‐FET. It was shown that the biosensors modified with the zeolites H⁺‐Beta30 and H⁺‐Beta50 are characterized by increased sensitivity to urea. The influence of the zeolite concentration on the sensitivity of the biosensors was studied. The optimal concentration of the zeolites H⁺‐Beta30 and H⁺‐Beta50 in the bioselective membrane was 15 %. Different variants of co‐immobilization of urease and zeolite H⁺‐Beta30 were studied and the optimal method was selected. Thus, a general conclusion is that the urea biosensor sensitivity can be improved using zeolite H⁺‐Beta30 for urease immobilization in the bioselective membrane.     

Concerted Bimetallic Nanocluster Synthesis and Encapsulation via Induced Zeolite Framework Demetallation for Shape and Substrate Selective Heterogeneous Catalysis

Bimetallic nanoparticle encapsulation in microporous zeolite crystals is a promising route for producing catalysts with unprecedented reaction selectivities. Herein, a novel synthetic approach was developed to produce PtZn_x nanoclusters encapsulated inside zeolite micropores by introducing Pt²⁺ cations into a zincosilicate framework via ion exchange, and subsequent controlled demetallation and alloying with framework Zn. The resulting zeolites featured nanoclusters with sizes of approximately 1 nm, having an interatomic structure corresponding to a PtZn_x alloy as confirmed by pair distribution function (PDF) analysis. These materials featured simultaneous shape and substrate specificity demonstrated by the selective production of p‐chloroaniline from the competitive hydrogenation of p‐chloronitrobenzene and 1,3‐dimethyl‐5‐nitrobenzene.     

Beta分子筛晶种法合成及其加氢脱氧性能

采用晶种法制备一系列Beta分子筛,考察了晶化温度和时间等因素对合成Beta分子筛的影响,并采用XRD、XRF、SEM、N₂物理吸附、TG-DSC等手段对产物进行表征,结果显示合成的Beta分子筛具有良好的结晶度、孔道结构、热稳定性和相近的硅铝比;通过对初始凝胶进行老化处理可加快Beta分子筛的晶化速率,产物晶粒尺寸变小、比表面积和孔容变大;在晶种-凝胶体系中加入少量有机模板剂,Beta分子筛的收率和热稳定性均有提升.NH₃-TPD和Pyridine-FTIR分析结果表明不存在有机模板剂的晶种-凝胶体系中合成的Beta分子筛催化剂有更多的总酸量和Brønsted酸的数量,使其在苯甲醚加氢脱氧反应中表现出高活性和环己烷选择性.     

Hierarchical Porous ZSM‐5 Zeolite Synthesized by in situ Zeolitization and Its Coke Deposition Resistance in Aromatization Reaction

Hierarchical ZSM‐5 zeolites with micro‐, meso‐ and macroporosity were prepared from diatomite zeolitization through a vapor‐phase transport process on solid surfaces. The aromatization performance of the catalysts was investigated on a fixed bed reactor by using FCC gasoline as feedstock. The crystal phase, morphology, pore structures, acidity and coke depositions of the hierarchical ZSM‐5 zeolites were characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), N₂ adsorption/desorption, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) and thermogravimetry‐mass spectrogram (TG‐MS), respectively. The results show that the prepared hierarchical ZSM‐5 zeolite possesses excellent porosity and high crystallinity, displaying an improved aromatization performance and carbon deposition resistance due to its meso‐ and macroporous structures.     

Selective dimerization of higher cycloolefins in the presence of micro- and micromesoporous zeolite catalysts

Selective synthesis of dimers of cycloolefins C₆-C₈ was carried out in the presence of highly dispersed zeolite catalysts HY, HBeta, and HZSM-12 and granulated zeolite HY-WB, which differ in acidic properties and pore structure. The high selectivity of microporous zeolite HZSM-12 in cyclohexene dimerization (100%) and micromesoporous zeolite HY-WB in cycloheptene and cyclooctene dimerization (90–95%) was established.     

A comparative study on the activity of metal exchanged MCM22 zeolite in the selective catalytic reduction of NOx

A series of MCM22 zeolites exchanged with copper and cobalt are studied for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with C₃H₈ and the behavior compared with that of Cu and Co-beta and ZMS5 zeolites. The results show that Co and Cu-MCM22 samples are stable SCR catalysts. These zeolites give the maximum activity at 450°C. Their behavior towards oxygen content in the reactant phase and exchange level of the metal in the catalyst, is qualitatively similar to that of metal exchanged beta and ZSM5 zeolite, but the yields obtained with this zeolite are lower in any case. The infrared studies of adsorbed NO show, contrary to what is occurring in ZSM5 in which only Cu⁺ sites are observed at low NO partial pressure, that in this condition, Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺ species are formed on MCM22. The results indicate that in MCM22, the copper located in the 10 member ring (MR) circular channels behaves similarly to that present in ZSM5, while the Cu present in the 12 MR cavities has a strong tendency to agglomerate forming non active CuO clusters.     

Structure of Framework Aluminum Lewis Sites and Perturbed Aluminum Atoms in Zeolites as Determined by 27Al{1H} REDOR (3Q) MAS NMR Spectroscopy and DFT/Molecular Mechanics

Zeolites are highly important heterogeneous catalysts. Besides Brønsted SiOHAl acid sites, also framework Al_FR Lewis acid sites are often found in their H‐forms. The formation of Al_FR Lewis sites in zeolites is a key issue regarding their selectivity in acid‐catalyzed reactions. The local structures of Al_FR Lewis sites in dehydrated zeolites and their precursors—“perturbed” Al_FR atoms in hydrated zeolites—were studied by high‐resolution MAS NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and DFT/MM calculations. Perturbed framework Al atoms correspond to (SiO)₃AlOH groups and are characterized by a broad ²⁷Al NMR resonance (δ_i=59–62 ppm, C_Q=5 MHz, and η=0.3–0.4) with a shoulder at 40 ppm in the ²⁷Al MAS NMR spectrum. Dehydroxylation of (SiO)₃AlOH occurs at mild temperatures and leads to the formation of Al_FR Lewis sites tricoordinated to the zeolite framework. Al atoms of these (SiO)₃Al Lewis sites exhibit an extremely broad ²⁷Al NMR resonance (δ_i≈67 ppm, C_Q≈20 MHz, and η≈0.1).     

Zeolite‐Encaged Single‐Atom Rhodium Catalysts: Highly‐Efficient Hydrogen Generation and Shape‐Selective Tandem Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes

Single‐atom catalysts are emerging as a new frontier in heterogeneous catalysis because of their maximum atom utilization efficiency, but they usually suffer from inferior stability. Herein, we synthesized single‐atom Rh catalysts embedded in MFI ‐type zeolites under hydrothermal conditions and subsequent ligand‐protected direct H₂ reduction. C_s‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and extended X‐ray absorption analyses revealed that single Rh atoms were encapsulated within 5‐membered rings and stabilized by zeolite framework oxygen atoms. The resultant catalysts exhibited excellent H₂ generation rates from ammonia borane (AB) hydrolysis, up to 699 min^?1 at 298 K, representing the top level among heterogeneous catalysts for AB hydrolysis. The catalysts also showed superior catalytic performance in shape‐selective tandem hydrogenation of various nitroarenes by coupling with AB hydrolysis, giving >99 % yield of corresponding amine products.     

Synthesis of NaX and NaY Zeolites from Tunisian Kaolinite as Base Catalysts: An Investigation of Knoevenagel Condensation

The synthesis of Faujasite‐type zeolites with high purity has been successfully performed from Tunisian kaolinite and the effects of different crystallization parameters on the final products were widely investigated. The alkaline fusion of kaolinite followed by hydrothermal treatment lead to zeolite NaX synthesis whereas the classic hydrothermal transformation of metakaolinite produces NaY zeolite. The results show that an increase in the synthesis temperature and time has improved the crystallization process of the zeolite NaX whereas the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ and the Na₂O/SiO₂ molar ratios were the key parameters to obtain a pure zeolite NaY. The highest specific surface areas obtained with the optimal crystallization conditions were 554 m2 g^?1 and 592 m2 g^?1 for respectively NaX and NaY zeolites. The basic properties of NaX and NaY zeolites were explored in the Knoevenagel condensation of benzaldehyde with ethyl cyanoacetate at 140 °C as a test reaction in the absence of solvent. The influence of ion exchange with cesium cation on the catalytic activity of prepared catalysts was also investigated. It was found that the NaX provided higher activity than that of NaY catalyst due to its lower Si/Al ratio whereas a cesium exchange conferred higher basicity to the prepared Na‐faujasite.     

晶种导向干凝胶法制备成型ZSM-5分子筛

在干凝胶法制备ZSM-5 分子筛的体系中添加晶种导向剂, 控制分子筛的生长, 制备了纳米沸石组装的无粘结剂成型多级孔ZSM-5 分子筛, 一步完成纳米分子筛的制备及组装成型, 即克服了传统纳米粒子难以过滤分离的问题, 同时组装所形成的多级孔有助于改善分子在催化剂内的扩散, 从而提高催化反应效率. 以硅胶、薄水铝石为原料, 四丙基氢氧化铵(TPAOH)和ZSM-5 晶种导向胶作为粘结剂, 通过混捏、挤条得到直径2 mm的条状前驱物, 随后通过干凝胶转换法制备成型分子筛. 所用晶种导向剂组成为0.35TPAOH:1SiO₂:20H₂O:4C₂H₅OH. 通过X射线衍射(XRD), 热重(TG)分析和傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱等方法对分子筛晶化过程进行了表征, 结果表明晶种导向剂加入量对分子筛生长速度及多级孔结构均有影响. 当所加晶种导向剂中TPAOH与SiO₂的摩尔比为0.025时, 经过3 h晶化, 分子筛相对结晶度达到100%. 扫描电镜(SEM)结果表明, 合成的分子筛尺寸约为200 nm, 组装形成的多级孔分子筛的介孔体积为0.28 cm³·g^-1. 通过NH₃ 程序升温脱附(NH₃-TPD)考察了所得成型分子筛的酸性, 发现该分子筛酸性与市售的粉末H-ZSM-5分子筛类似.     

Theoretical study of the adsorption of ethylene on alkali‐exchanged zeolites

The structures of alkali‐exchanged faujasite (X–FAU, X = Li⁺ or Na⁺ ion) and ZSM‐5 (Li–ZSM‐5) zeolites and their interactions with ethylene have been investigated by means of quantum cluster and embedded cluster approaches at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d, p) level of theory. Inclusion of the Madelung potential from the zeolite framework has a significant effect on the structure and interaction energies of the adsorption complexes and leads to differentiation of different types of zeolites (ZSM‐5 and FAU) that cannot be drawn from a typical quantum cluster model, H₃SiO(X)Al(OH)₂OSiH₃. The Li–ZSM‐5 zeolite is predicted to have a higher Lewis acidity and thus higher ethylene adsorption energy than the Li–FAU zeolites (16.4 vs. 14.4 kcal/mol), in good agreement with the known acidity trend of these two zeolites. On the other hand, the cluster models give virtually the same adsorption energies for both zeolite complexes (8.9 vs. 9.1 kcal/mol). For the larger cation‐exchanged Na–FAU complex, the adsorption energy (11.6 kcal/mol) is predicted to be lower than that of Li–FAU zeolites, which compares well with the experimental estimate of about 9.6 kcal/mol for ethylene adsorption on a less acidic Na–X zeolite. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 94: 333–340, 2003     

不同碱处理制备多级孔HZSM-5催化剂及噻吩烷基化性能研究

用Na₂CO₃、TPAOH和TPA⁺/CO₃^2-混合碱分别处理HZSM-5分子筛,采用FT-IR、XRD、XRF、N₂吸附脱附、SEM、NH₃-TPD及Py-FTIR表征手段对各类碱处理前后的HZSM-5分子筛进行表征。结果表明,3种类型的碱处理HZSM-5分子筛后,均能形成微孔-介孔多级孔道的HZSM-5(A)催化剂,并能调变催化剂的酸性,其中,TPA⁺/CO₃^2-混合碱处理得到的HZSM-5(TPA⁺/CO₃^2-)催化剂,比表面积最大,介孔数量最多。在小型固定床反应器上,考察了HZSM-5和HZSM-5(A)催化剂的噻吩烷基化性能,结果表明,HZSM-5(TPA⁺/CO₃^2-)催化剂因为具有适当的多级孔孔道和较多的B酸中心而表现出较高的噻吩转化率和1-己烯对噻吩的选择性。     

Relationships between basicity and reactivity of zeolite catalysts

A wide variety of characterization methods, including UV-vis spectroscopy of adsorbed I₂, microcalorimetry of CO₂ adsorption, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Cs L_III edge of zeolite cations, was applied to a series of alkali containing zeolites in order to elucidate the nature of the basic sites on these materials. In addition, three catalytic reactions involving basic zeolites were studied. In the first case, alkali-exchanged zeolites (L, Beta, X and Y) were used as catalysts for the side-chain alkylation of toluene with methanol to form styrene and ethylbenzene. Zeolites with low base site densities and appropriate base strengths catalyzed toluene alkylation without decomposing methanol to carbon monoxide. In the second example, ruthenium metal clusters were supported on alkali and alkaline earth exchanged X zeolites and tested as catalysts for ammonia synthesis. Zeolites containing alkaline earth ions exhibited rates greater than those containing alkali ions. Finally, zeolite X loaded with alkali metal was an active catalyst for toluene alkylation with ethylene whereas zeolite X loaded with alkali oxide was inactive for the reaction. These results suggest that exciting opportunities exist for the use of basic zeolites as catalysts and catalyst supports.     

Constructing Intrapenetrated Hierarchical Zeolites with Highly Complete Framework via Protozeolite Seeding

Creation of intrapenetrated mesopores with open highway from external surface into the interior of zeolite crystals are highly desirable that can significantly improve the molecular transport and active sites accessibility of microporous zeolites to afford enhanced catalytic properties. Here, different from traditional zeolite-seeded methods that generally produced isolated mesopores in zeolites, nanosized amorphous protozeolites with embryo structure of zeolites were used as seeds for the construction of single-crystalline hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolites with intrapenetrated mesopores (mesopore volume of 0.51 cm³ g⁻¹) and highly complete framework. In this strategy, in contrast to the conventional synthesis, only a small amount of organic structure directing agents and a low crystallization temperature were adopted to promise the protozeolites as the dominant growth directing sites to induce crystallization. The protozeolite nanoseeds provided abundant nucleation sites for surrounding precursors to be crystallized, followed by oriented coalescence of crystallites resulting in the formation of intrapenetrated mesopores. The as-prepared hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolites exhibited ultra-long lifetime of 443.9 hours and a high propylene selectivity of 47.92 % at a WHSV of 2 h⁻¹ in the methanol-to-propylene reaction. This work provides a facile protozeolite-seeded strategy for the synthesis of intrapenetrated hierarchical zeolites that are highly effective for catalytic applications.     

A hierarchically zeolite Y for the N-heterocyclic compounds synthesis

High activity and selectivity of the hierarchical H-Ymmm zeolite in the synthesis of practically important pyridines (by interaction of C₂–C₄ alcohols with formaldehyde and ammonia, cyclocondensation of acetaldehyde and propanal with ammonia), dialkyl quinolines (by reaction of aniline with aldehydes) and alkyl dihydroquinolines (by reaction of aniline with ketones- acetone, acetophenone) were revealed in the research.The advantages of the micro-meso-macroporous H-Ymmm zeolite over the microporous H-Y zeolite in the synthesis of pyridines and quinolines were demonstrated. In the products formed by the reaction of ethanol with formaldehyde and ammonia, picolines (up to 63%) and lutidine are predominant in H-Ymmm, Pb-H-Ymmm and Fe-H-Ymmm zeolites. The interaction of n-propanol (n-butanol) with formaldehyde and ammonia in the presence of H-Ymmm zeolite with high selectivity produced 3,5-lutidine (up to 90%) or 3,5-diethylpyridine (85%). H-Ymmm zeolite makes it possible to prepare 2-methyl-5-ethylpyridine with 87% selectivity (reaction of acetaldehyde with ammonia) and 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyridine with 58% selectivity (reaction of propanal with ammonia).The synthesis of dialkylquinolines and dialkyltetrahydroquinolines with a total selectivity of 65–73% by the interaction of aniline with C₃–C₅ aldehydes has been carried out. The dihydroquinoline derivatives with the selectivity of up to 70% have been synthesized by the reaction of aniline with ketones (acetone, acetophenone).     

多级孔NiMo负载TS-1分子筛催化剂的制备及其加氢脱硫性能

钛硅(TS-1)分子筛的微孔孔道严重限制了其在复杂分子催化转化中的应用,为了克服这一问题,通过酸洗脱、碱刻蚀及二者相结合的方法制备了多级孔 TS-1 分子筛,并采用等体积共浸渍法制备了相应的 NiMo 负载型催化剂;使用 X 射线衍射(XRD)、N₂吸附-脱附、吡啶吸附红外光谱(Py-FTIR)、氢气程序升温还原(H₂-TPR)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和高分辨透射电子显微镜(HR-TEM)等方法对多级孔TS-1分子筛的理化性质进行了表征;以二苯并噻吩(DBT)为探针对催化剂的加氢脱硫(HDS)性能进行了评价。结果表明,和常规TS-1分子筛相比,多级孔TS-1分子筛保持了MFI拓扑结构,比表面积增大且具有介孔结构,分子筛表面形成了适量的Brønsted酸中心;相应催化剂上活性金属与载体间相互作用得以改善,MoS₂片晶长度和堆垛层数适宜,形成了更多的 NiMoS活性相;催化剂活性和选择性均有所提升,尤其是酸洗脱获得的 NiMo/AT-TS-1催化剂的活性相较未经处理的NiMo/TS-1催化剂提升了1.2倍,直接脱硫(DDS)路径选择性提升了22%。     

Template method for the synthesis of a heterogeneous fenton catalyst based on the hierarchical zeolite FeZSM-5

Zeolite h-FeZSM-5 with a hierarchical micro/macropore system has been synthesized in the presence of a template based on the close-packed polystyrene (PS) spheres, and the conventional zeolite FeZSM-5 has been obtained in the absence of a PS template. The zeolites have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and N₂ sorption. The macropore walls of the hierarchical zeolite consist of ZSM-5 nanocrystals and amorphous globules of silica. Compared to the conventional zeolite, the hierarchical one has a high BET and external surface areas of 245 and 472 m²/g, respectively, and a high pore volume of 0.6 cm³/g. The catalytic properties of the Fe-containing zeolites were studied in the H₂O₂ decomposition reaction in the absence and in the presence of EDTA ligands and in the oxidation of low- and high-molecular-weight organic compounds by hydrogen peroxide at 25°C. Hierarchical zeolite h-FeZSM-5 is highly efficient in the oxidation of large molecules.     

π–π Interactions Between Aromatic Groups in Amphiphilic Molecules: Directing Hierarchical Growth of Porous Zeolites

The development of hierarchical macro‐ or mesoporous zeolites is essential in zeolite synthesis because the size of the micropores limits mass transport and their use as industrial catalysts for bulky molecules. Although major breakthroughs have been achieved, fabricating crystallographically ordered mesoporous zeolites using a templating strategy is still an unsolved challenge. This minireview highlights our recent efforts on the self‐assembly of amphiphilic molecules to obtain ordered hierarchical MFI zeolites by introducing aromatic groups into the hydrophobic tail of the amphiphilic molecules. Owing to the geometric matching between the self‐assembled aromatic tails and the MFI framework, a) single‐crystalline mesostructured zeolite nanosheets (SCZNs), b) SCZNs with a 90° rotational intergrowth structure, c) a hierarchical MFI zeolite with a two‐dimensional square P4mm mesostructure, and d) a single‐crystalline mesoporous ZSM‐5 with three‐dimensional pores and sheetlike mesopores layered along the a‐axis were successfully synthesized.