Trimodal pore catalyst preparation method by growth of zeolite inside macroporous matrices of silica

In this paper, a novel catalyst support with trimodal pore structure was hydrothermally synthesized by building up nano-particles of titanium silicalite-1 inside the macroporous system of silica gel using the tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH) as template, titanium (IV) tetrabutoxide monomer (TBOT) as titanium source and the silica gel with macropores as in situ silicon source as well as matrices. The prepared support exhibited intrinsic pore of TS-1, intercrystalline mesopores and residual macropores of silica gel. When loaded with Co, the trimodal catalyst was employed to catalyze the methanation of carbon monoxide, showing higher CO conversion and CH4 selectivity than the bimodal and unimodal catalysts due to the favored metallic Co surface area and dispersion.

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► A catalyst support with trimodal pore structure was prepared.
► The supports possess intrinsic micro, meso and macroporosity.
► The trimodal catalyst catalyzed the methanation reaction of CO.
► The trimodal catalyst exhibited high activity and stability.
► The trimodal pore structure favored metallic Co surface area and dispersion.