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MFI Acid Catalysts with Different Crystal Sizes and Porosity for the Conversion of Furanic Compounds in Alcohol Media
Author(s) -
Antunes Margarida M.,
Lima Sérgio,
Fernandes Auguste,
Magalhães Ana L.,
Neves Patrícia,
Silva Carlos M.,
Ribeiro Maria F.,
Chadwick David,
Hellgardt Klaus,
Pillinger Martyn,
Valente Anabela A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201601236
Subject(s) - catalysis , furfural , mesoporous material , zeolite , levulinic acid , chemical engineering , chemistry , organic chemistry , nanocrystalline material , materials science , engineering
Solid acid catalysts possessing MFI topology and different crystal sizes and porosities were explored for the conversion of carbohydrate‐biomass‐derived α‐angelica lactone and 5‐(hydroxymethyl)furfural, in 1‐butanol at T =120–170 °C, to give levulinate esters and furanic ethers. Micro/mesoporous microcrystalline catalysts were prepared by post‐synthesis base/acid treatments of ZSM‐5 zeolite; the influence of the desilication (base) conditions on the material properties was investigated. A nanocrystalline ZSM‐5 sample was synthesised by using hydrothermal, dynamic conditions and used as a reference material. A comparison of the catalytic performances of materials featuring different morphological, textural, and acid properties highlights a complex interplay between the acid and textural properties. The best‐performing catalyst (MZS0.6) was obtained by post‐synthesis‐treatment; fairly good catalytic stability was confirmed by catalyst recycling, contact tests, and characterisation of the spent catalyst. MZS0.6 was compared with the macrorecticular ion‐exchange resin Amberlyst‐15, chosen as a benchmark solid acid catalyst, in the two reaction systems.