Mechanism of hierarchical porosity development in MFI zeolites by desilication: the role of aluminium as a pore-directing agent

The role of the concentration and the nature of aluminium in the creation of hierarchical porosity in both commercial and synthesized MFI zeolites have been investigated through controlled mesoporosity development by desilication in alkaline medium. Framework aluminium controls the process of framework silicon extraction and makes desilication selective towards intracrystalline mesopore formation. An optimal molar Si/Al ratio in the range 25-50 has been identified; this leads to an optimal mesoporosity centred around 10 nm and mesopore surface areas of up to 235 m(2) g(-1) while preserving the intrinsic crystalline and acidic properties. At lower framework Si/Al ratios the relatively high Al content inhibits Si extraction and hardly any mesopores are created, while in highly siliceous ZSM-5 unselective extraction of framework Si induces formation of large pores. The existence of framework Al sites in different T positions that are more or less susceptible to the alkaline treatment, and the occurrence of re-alumination, are tentative explanations for the remarkable behaviour of Al in the desilication process. The presence of substantial extra framework Al, obtained by steam treatment, inhibits Si extraction and related mesopore formation; this is attributed to re-alumination of the extraframework Al species during the alkaline treatment. Removal of extraframework Al species by mild oxalic acid treatment restores susceptibility to desilication, which is accompanied by formation of larger mesopores due to the enhanced Si/Al ratio in the acid-treated zeolite.     

Characterization of Supported Gold Catalysts with 197Au Mössbauer Effect Spectroscopy

We report on a ¹⁹⁷Au Mössbauer study of several types of supported gold catalysts. Differences in particle size show up in the Mössbauer spectra by a change in the relative weight of the spectral contribution of the surface atoms. The presence of ionic gold in active gold catalysts is not observed. The spectra can be interpreted in terms of bulk-like contributions from the inner-core atoms plus contributions from the outermost atoms at the surface of the particles.     

Selective hydrogenation of styrene/1-octene mixtures over a monolithic Pd catalyst

Mixtures of styrene and 1-octene in toluene were hydrogenated over a monolithic Pd catalyst in the three-phase regime. Styrene was preferably hydrogenated to ethylbenzene, while a major part of the initial quantity of 1-octene was isomerized to internal olefins. Formation of alkylcyclohexanes was negligible. Observed rates of styrene hydrogenation were high compared to the values listed in literature.     

Ion exchanged Fe-FER through H2O2-assisted decomplexation of organic salts

Decomplexation of organic ligands through redox titration has been applied to catalyst synthesis, developing an improved preparation method for Fe-ferrierite (Fe-FER), the catalyst showing excellent performance and durability for N2O decomposition under realistic conditions for nitric acid plants.     

Highly Active and Stable Pt-USY in the Low-Temperature de-NOx HC-SCR

Selective catalytic reduction of NO_x by propene has been investigated on Pt-USY and compared to other Pt-catalysts. The catalyst was characterized by XRD, Ar adsorption at 87 K, TEM, and CO chemisorption, and tested in a gas mixture system in excess oxygen. Pt-USY shows an excellent activity in the reaction, with a molar NO_x conversion of 90% at 475 K. Stability during time-on-stream and resistance to SO₂ and H₂O in the feed stream has also been investigated. Pt-USY performs better under lean-burn conditions than other Pt-catalysts on ZSM-5, Al₂O₃, or SiO₂. The selectivity to N₂ was similar for all the catalysts (30%), the other major product being N₂O.     

Influence of Nox on soot combustion with supported molten salt catalysts

Diesel soot is combusted simultaneously by two reactions: combustion with NO₂ and combustion with O₂ with the aid of a molten salt catalyst. Both reaction pathways should always be considered to avoid misinterpretation of experimental data.     

Adsorption of butane isomers and SF6 on Kureha activated carbon: 1. Equilibrium

Adsorption equilibria of butane isomers and SF6 on Kureha activated carbon were investigated using the volumetric method and the tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) technique. The isotherm data of the butane isomers measured by the TEOM technique are in good agreement with those determined by the volumetric method. Single-component adsorption isotherms are reported at temperatures in the range from 298 to 393 K and at pressures up to 120 kPa. SF6 molecules are mainly adsorbed in the larger micropores, resulting in a lower adsorption capacity. The amount adsorbed for n-butane is slightly higher than that for isobutane in the whole range investigated. This is attributed to the fact that the linear n-butane molecule can adsorb in the smaller micropores. The T6th model appropriately describes the equilibrium data of the butane isomers, while the isotherm data of SF6 can be fitted by the Langmuir model. The isosteric heats associated with adsorption for these three adsorptives show different loading dependences. The present study indicates that the activated carbon can be well characterized by the probe molecules having different molecular sizes.     

Direct demonstration of enhanced diffusion in mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolite obtained via controlled desilication

A 2 orders of magnitude gas transport improvement in a medium pore ZSM-5 zeolite has been achieved upon introduction of intracrystalline mesoporosity in gradient-free crystals by desilication post-treatment in alkaline medium.     

In situ monitoring of desilication of MFI-type zeolites in alkaline medium

In situ pH and Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) infrared techniques have been successfully applied in order to gain insights into the dissolution process connected to mesopore formation occurring upon alkaline treatment of ZSM-5 zeolites. Online pH measurements reveal a similar consumption of OH(-) ions in the initial stage of the reaction independent of the Si/Al ratio of the zeolite. In view of the greatly different mesoporosity development, the extraction of polymeric silica entities is anticipated, its structure depending on the framework Si/Al ratio. In agreement, ATR-IR experiments have confirmed dissolution of polymeric silicon-containing species that in the course of the alkaline treatment disintegrate into smaller entities. A direct relation between the type of porosity developed and the process of silicon extraction as measured in the liquid phase cannot be drawn.     

Catalytic and Mechanistic Insights of the Low‐Temperature Selective Oxidation of Methane over Cu‐Promoted Fe‐ZSM‐5

The partial oxidation of methane to methanol presents one of the most challenging targets in catalysis. Although this is the focus of much research, until recently, approaches had proceeded at low catalytic rates (<10 h^?1), not resulted in a closed catalytic cycle, or were unable to produce methanol with a reasonable selectivity. Recent research has demonstrated, however, that a system composed of an iron‐ and copper‐containing zeolite is able to catalytically convert methane to methanol with turnover frequencies (TOFs) of over 14 000 h^?1 by using H₂O₂ as terminal oxidant. However, the precise roles of the catalyst and the full mechanistic cycle remain unclear. We hereby report a systematic study of the kinetic parameters and mechanistic features of the process, and present a reaction network consisting of the activation of methane, the formation of an activated hydroperoxy species, and the by‐production of hydroxyl radicals. The catalytic system in question results in a low‐energy methane activation route, and allows selective C₁‐oxidation to proceed under intrinsically mild reaction conditions.