Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
50857 | Catalysis Communications | 2012 | 5 Pages |
Sulfonic-functionalized mesoporous silicas (SBA-15) were used as catalysts in the gas-phase dehydration of glycerol at moderate temperature (275 and 300 °C). For the tested conditions all the samples show a very high catalytic activity. At the lowest temperature and for 140 h on stream a nearly constant selectivity to acrolein of ca. 80% could be obtained. Both the pore size and density of acid sites play an important role in the deactivation rate and selectivity: larger pore size may extend significantly the catalytic activity and high density of acid sites may reduce acrolein production. Increasing the temperature to 300 °C is beneficial to the acrolein production, but it also leads to an increase of the deactivation rate.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Sulfonic-functionalized mesoporous silica (SBA-15) is highly active for glycerol dehydration. ► Catalyst long-term stability can be achieved by the adequate choice of pore width and density of acid sites. ► A nearly constant selectivity to acrolein above 80% may be obtained at moderate temperature (275 °C).