Zeolites exchanged with CuxOy single sites for the methane partial oxidation to methanol: the effect of zeolite structure and other metal oxides in the single site activity

• Grant number: 18/26459-3
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: José Maria Correa Bueno
• Grantee: Tássia Caroline Passos Pereira
• Home Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/01258-5 - Novel chemical catalytic and photocatalytic processes for the direct conversion of methane and CO2 to products, AP.TEM

Abstract

For decades, alternative processes have been pursued for the direct conversion of methane into methanol. Since the indirect conversion process proved to be unsuitable for small-scale application, mainly due to the high cost of the process and the low yield of the products. Due to the vast reserves of natural gas, the direct oxidation of methane into methanol still occupies a prominent position in the interest of industry and research investments. In this work, it will be used copper catalysts incorporated into zeolites for the conversion of methane to methanol. In situ techniques will be used to provide evidence on the interaction between reagents and products and on the surface of the catalyst, in addition to revealing electronic properties of the active sites. The catalysts will also be characterized by Temperature Programmed Reaction (TPR-H2), where hydrogen is used as the reducing flux to determine the reducible phases of the sample. N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms will be used to determine the specific surface area, pore volume and pore diameter. They will also be characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) for determination of the crystalline phases present in the material, and by Visible Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (UV VIS) analyzes in order to obtain data on the absorption of each sample. Three reaction cycles will be carried out for each catalyst, in order to show the regeneration capacity of the catalysts. Each cycle begins with the activation of the sample, then the reaction is made with methane, and then desorption of the formed product is done using a He/H2O flow. (AU)