Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NewCat4Bio (Innovative sol-gel strategies for the production of homogeneous, hydrothermally stable, andporous mixed metal oxide catalysts for biomass conversion applications)
Berichtszeitraum: 2017-08-01 bis 2019-07-31
Work Package 2: Characterization included some routine analysis of mixed metal oxides as well as advanced and original characterization experiments (especially surface characterization). It also encompassed the training on analytical techniques, which were new for the Researcher: XPS, ToF-SIMS and TPD of ammonia. A manuscript comparing various NHSG synthetic routes in terms of their impact onto the material's properties – homogeneity, (hydro)thermal stability and texture - was prepared on the basis of results obtained mainly in these two work packages (submitted). These results were also communicated at an international conference (6th International Conference on Multifunctional, Hybrid, and Nanomaterials).
The Work Package 3: Catalytic testing was completed first by mounting (revamping) of the catalytic reactor and learning how to set the correct parameters for catalytic reactions. Then we performed some preliminary catalytic tests on our materials. Since our materials exhibited markedly improved activity and selectivity to ethylene in comparison to commercial silica-alumina, we continued with catalytic testing on our samples in ethanol dehydration, ran the analytical tools, analysed the data and defined, which characteristics were crucial for obtaining of active catalysts. Based on these data two manuscripts are in preparation summarizing the results of the research project with the focus on the catalytic part of research. These data were also presented at an international conference (Europacat 2019).
Finally the Work Package 4: Management & Dissemination took place during the whole project duration. The researcher and the supervisor worked hand in hand at the dissemination tasks. In addition to already described preparation of manuscripts and conference presentations, we engaged in public dissemination (blog and Twitter, Printemps des Sciences).
2/ Hydrothermal stability of hybrid metallosilicate catalysts under the conditions relevant for ethanol dehydration was described for the first time. Striking difference in stability was observed between the samples containing Si-C(sp2) and Si-C(sp3) bond.
3/ Catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability was studied. NHSG catalysts displayed activity and selectivity to ethylene better than commercial benchmark. Stability was improved by proper tuning of acid site strength, but a robust porous network was needed as well.
4/ The hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity and the impact of organic groups incorporation was studied as well. Interestingly, the presence of hydrophobic organic groups played only a minor role in comparison to the number of highly hydrophilic acid sites. Consequently, the activity in ethanol dehydration was fully governed by the number of acid sites.
All these results are very important for the emerging bio-based industry, since ethanol used for dehydration and ethylene production may come from bio-sources (sugar based and transformed by fermentation).