Methanol to C-2 and C-4 fuels over (Nb/Al)-pillared clay catalysts

Author(s)

Marcos, F. C. F. ^[1] ; Lucredio, A. F. ^[1] ; Assaf, J. M. ^[2] ; Assaf, E. M. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim Sao Carlos, Av Trabalhador Saocarlense 400, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luis, Km 235, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: RSC ADVANCES; v. 6, n. 33, p. 27915-27921, 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Pillared interlayer clay (PILC) is a low cost material, which is characterized by a large specific surface area, high pore volume and surface acidity that make it effective in catalytic reactions. In this work, montmorillonite was pillared with Nb and Al by cation exchange and then the obtained clays were characterized by XRD, EDS-SEM, N-2 adsorption/desorption techniques. The acid sites were analyzed by FTIR after the adsorption of pyridine and by NH3-TPD. These materials were studied for methanol conversion reactions into C-2 and C-4 fuels in the temperature range of 250-400 degrees C for 2 h. The selectivity to C-2 and C-4 fuels was directly related to the strength of acid sites and the temperature of the reaction. At low temperatures, C-4 fuel was the major product. The increase of the temperature favored DME formation. The best performance for DME was obtained with a V-Nb PILC catalyst at 400 degrees C. This is due to weak acid sites (Bronsted and Lewis) present in this catalyst, identified by FTIR, and with lower acidic density, as observed by NH3-TPD. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/50279-4 - Brasil Research Centre for Gas Innovation
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support type: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 12/17957-3 - Study of metal catalysts supported on pillared clays for the production of dimethyl ether from synthesis gas
• Grantee: Francielle Candian Firmino Marcos
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate