Gas phase selective conversion of glycerol to acrolein over supported silicotungstic acid catalyst

•Supported HSiW on ZrO2 and nano-sized Al2O3 were screened for acrolein production.•Catalysts had high thermal stability, acidity, surface area, and large pore diameter.•88.5% acrolein selectivity at 97.0% glycerol conversion obtained over 30HZ-20A sample.•The 30HZ-20A catalyst exhibited high stability even after 40 h.

Gas phase dehydration of glycerol to acrolein over a series of supported HSiW on ZrO2 and nano-sized γ-Al2O3 catalyst has been investigated. The characterization results revealed that impregnation of γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles increased the specific surface area, pore diameter, and thermal stability of the supported catalysts. The highest acrolein selectivity of 88.5% at 97.0% glycerol conversion was achieved over 0.5 g 30HZ-20A catalyst in 3 h at glycerol feed concentration of 10 wt%, temperature = 300 ̊C and TOF = 136 h−1. The coke deposition has no significant effect on the activity of 30HZ-20A catalyst. Indeed, the catalyst was stable even after 40 h.

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