From micro- to nano-sized zeolite catalysts: in situ visualization of framework flexibility during ethanol upgrading processes

• Grant number: 24/03547-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Florian Edouard Pierre Meneau
• Grantee: Gabriel de Biasi Báfero
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06876-1 - Imaging working catalysts/catalytic correlations in nanoporous materials, AP.JP2

Abstract

Zeolites play an important role in the fields of heterogeneous catalysis and separation processes. Despite significant achievements made so far, the fundamental understandings of molecular adsorption and diffusion under the confinement of microporous zeolites is still a challenging question. Zeolites exhibit framework flexibility driving their chemical and catalytic properties. Using in situ time-resolved Bragg coherent X-ray diffraction imaging, we propose to unveil the dynamics of the zeolite structure during catalysis. We aim to investigate the dynamics of the crystal lattice deformations taking place during adsorption, diffusion, and chemical reaction in micro- and nano-sized zeolite catalysts, tuned by metallic sites. We will follow the zeolites during the ethanol adsorption and ethanol upgrading reactions in order to reveal their lattice dynamics behavior at the nanoscale level. Ethanol can be derived trough diverse renewable sources, emerging as a promising substitute to petroleum in the production of hydrocarbons, especially aromatics and olefins. However, research on this route remains limited, and there is a general demand for deeper investigations on how catalytic activity correlates with structural/active sites evolution under reaction condiditions. Therefore, understanding zeolite flexibility in situ would permit to tune zeolites properties towards enhanced catalytic performances in an unexplored manner.