Selective Catalytic Dehydration of Bioethanol

Abstract

Solid acid catalysts that based on activated carbon and contain 0.1 mmol g-1 of supported phosphotungstic acid were prepared. It was found that over these catalysts, a selective transformation of bioethanol into diethyl ether take place at temperatures between 120 and 150 °C. At the temperature range of 180-205 °C, the bioethanol conversion into ethylene was catalyzed by the phosphotungstic acid. The supported catalysts have 100% selectivity towards ethylene. The adsorption and catalytic studies have shown that the oxygen-containing functional groups of carbon solids act as centers of immobilization of phosphotungstic acid and centers of ethanol adsorption, which contributes to its dehydration.