Solvent polarity-induced pore selectivity in H-ZSM-5 catalysis

Molecular-sized micropores of ZSM-5 zeolite catalysts provide spatial restrictions around catalytic sites that allow for shape-selective catalysis. However, the fact that ZSM-5 has two main pore systems with different geometries is relatively unexploited as a potential source of additional shape selectivity. Here, we use confocal laser-scanning microscopy to show that by changing the polarity of the solvent, the acid-catalyzed furfuryl alcohol oligomerization can be directed to selectively occur within either of two locations in the microporous network. This finding is confirmed for H-ZSM-5 particles with different Si/Al ratios and indicates a general trend for shape-selective catalytic reactions.

Publication year:2017

BOF-keylabel:yes

IOF-keylabel:yes

BOF-publication weight:6

CSS-citation score:1

Authors from:Higher Education

Accessibility:Open