Structural Evolution of Highly Active Multicomponent Catalysts for Selective Propylene Oxidation

Multicomponent Bi-Mo-Fe-Co oxide catalysts prepared via flame spray pyrolysis were tested for selective propylene oxidation, showing high conversion (>70%) and selectivity (>85%) for acrolein and acrylic acid at temperatures of 330 °C. During extended time-on-stream tests (5–7 days), the catalysts retained high activity while undergoing diverse structural changes. This was evident on: (a) the atomic scale, using powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy; and (b) the microscopic scale, using synchrotron X-ray nanotomography, including full-field holotomography, scanning X-ray fluorescence, and absorption contrast imaging. On the atomic scale, sintering, coke formation, growth, and transformation of active and spectator components were observed. On the microscopic scale, the catalyst life cycle was studied at various stages through noninvasive imaging of a ~50-µm grain with 100-nm resolution. Variation of catalyst synthesis parameters led to the formation of notably different structural compositions after reaction. Mobile bismuth species formed agglomerates of several hundred nanometres and segregated within the catalyst interior. This appeared to facilitate the formation of different active phases and induce selectivity for acrolein and acrylic acid. The combined multiscale approach here is generally applicable for deconvolution of complex catalyst systems. This is an important step to bridge model two-component catalysts with more relevant but complex multicomponent catalysts.

Preparing magnetic multicomponent catalysts via a bio-inspired assembly for heterogeneous reactions

A facile synthetic approach for preparing magnetic porous catalysts, from various inorganic compounds loaded by a pyrogallic acid (PG) assisted layer-by-layer (LbL) coating.

Syngas production by biogas reforming over the Co-based multicomponent catalysts

The new multicomponent Co-based catalysts with additives of group 8 metal and rare earth elements and supported on alumina have been tested in the dry and steam conversion of a model biogas. The processes were carried out in a flow quartz reactor under the following conditions: atmospheric pressure, a gas hourly space velocity of 1000 h−1 and temperatures of 300–800°C. The catalysts were characterised using electron microscopy, BET and X-ray analysis.The methane is almost completely converted in the dry reforming of biogas at T≤800°C. Synthesis gas with a ratio of H2/CO>1.0 is a main product of biogas reforming over the multicomponent catalysts studied. Adding steam in a feed composition increases both the methane conversion and the hydrogen yield at lower temperatures. Almost complete methane conversion occurs at T<750°C in the steam reforming of biogas. The catalysts are highly effective and exhibit stable activity throughout 100 h of continuous testing.

New multicomponent catalysts for the selective aerobic oxidative condensation of benzylamine to N-benzylidenebenzylamine

Nano-oxide domains partially embedded inside the UVM-7 silica walls act as excellent support for Au in the oxidative condensation of benzylamine.