Abstract
This study investigates the effect of oxalate and borohydride ligands functionalization on the properties and activity of zeolite Y (ZY) supported copper nanoparticles in CO2 hydrogenation to specialty chemicals. The ZY-supported copper oxalate (CuX-ZY) and copper borohydride (CuB-ZY) catalysts exhibited a drastic difference in physicochemical properties compared to a benchmark copper supported on ZY (Cu-ZY) catalyst without any functionalization. The average Cu particle sizes are 7.74, 0.69, and 0.57 nm for Cu-ZY, CuX-ZY, and CuB-ZY, respectively. The smaller the copper oxide particle sizes, the higher the reduction temperatures to the metallic state due to strong-metal-support-interactions. The CO2 conversions (XCO2) at 270 degrees C are 28.3%, 26.4%, and 14.6%, for CuX-ZY, CuB-ZY, and Cu-ZY which aligns with the trend of basic site-strength, Cu particle sizes, and Cu dispersion of the catalysts. While methanol yield was maximum at 70.5 g(product) g(cat)(-1)center dot min(-1) over CuX-ZY, the dimethyl ether was maximum at 48.9 g(product) g(cat)(-1)center dot min(-1) over CuB-ZY. Furthermore, the oxalate and borohydride functionalization were effective in minimizing CO formation.
NSTL
Elsevier