On the effectiveness of tailored mesoporous MFI zeolites for biomass catalytic fast pyrolysis

•Mesoporous MFI zeolites created using top-down and bottom-up approaches.•Textural and acidic properties of each catalyst were compared.•Catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose and miscanthus was performed in a PyGC.•Optimal mesoporosity was shown to improve catalytic pyrolysis aromatic yields and decrease coke and char yields.

Optimum catalyst design plays a pivotal role in maximizing catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) bio-oil yield and quality. This work investigates the use of mordenite framework inverted (MFI) zeolites with hierarchical pore structures as potential catalysts to address the aforementioned challenges. Mesoporous MFI catalysts were created using both top-down and bottom-up approaches, were characterized and evaluated as CFP catalysts. CFP with mesoporous catalysts resulted in higher yields to aromatics and lower coke and char yields. The results of this study indicate that there is a maximum amount of mesopore volume required for optimal acid site accessibility leading to increased bio-oil production. After this maximum, intermediate aromatic hydrocarbons continue to polymerize to form bulky poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and coke.

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