Hydrophobic aluminosilicate zeolites as highly efficient catalysts for the dehydration of alcohols

• ZSM-5-OS samples were synthesized by organic-silane modification method.
• ZSM-5-OS samples have hydrophobic surfaces.
• ZSM-5-OS catalysts are efficient for dehydration of alcohols.

Efficient dehydration of alcohols to olefins, acting as a control step in the upgrading of phenolic biofuel into alkane fuels, is an important topic in biomass conversion. Here, we report the design and synthesis of hydrophobic aluminosilicate ZSM-5 zeolites by an organosilane-modification approach (ZSM-5-OS). Water-droplet contact angle tests confirm the formation of hydrophobic surface after the modification. Interestingly, the obtained ZSM-5-OS catalysts exhibit excellent catalytic properties in dehydration of various alcohols into the corresponding olefins in water solvent. The approach reported in this work would be potentially important for developing more efficient catalysts for biomass conversion in the future.

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