Fine-tuning synthesis and characterization of mono-sized h-beta zeolite-supported palladium-iridium nanoparticles and application in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene

Abstract

In this research, a mono-sized Beta zeolite support synthesized by the solvothermal method was used in the selective acetylene to ethylene hydrogenation reaction with minimum coke build up on the catalyst surface. Tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH), tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPABr), n-butylamine, and morpholine were used as structure direct agents (SDA) in the support to obtain various shapes. The characterization results show that although the Si/(Al+SDA) ratio has no effect on the phase purity of support, it has a remarkable effect on porosity, crystal size, shape, and structure of micropores. After comparing characterization results, the developed support, based on TPAOH, was selected and modified by different metals (Ce, Ir, Ag, and Pd) using the incipient wetness co-impregnation method. Since there is an interaction between selectivity and conversion, the optimum metal content in the synthesized catalysts and reaction condition were determined to achieve the desired acetylene conversion and ethylene selectivity. The physicochemical transformation of the developed optimum catalysts was determined using different techniques. Based on the characterization and cata-test results, the catalyst which contains 0.29% Ir and 0.08% Pd presents a better performance and higher stability compared to the other catalysts due to the moderate size and mono layer dispersion of the metals on the support. The experimental results show that acetylene conversion and ethylene selectivity approach 97% and 92% at 55 °C, respectively.