Highly basic and active ZnO–x% K2O nanocomposite catalysts for the production of methyl ethyl ketone biofuel

Abstract Herein we demonstrate the preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline ZnO, either pure or promoted with 1–10 wt.% K2O. All catalysts calcined at 400°C were in the nano‐crystallite scale as confirmed by X‐ray powder diffraction analysis in the 22.9–28.0 nm range. According to the CO2...

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Main Authors: Samih A. Halawy, Ahmed I. Osman, David W. Rooney
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-08-01
Series:Energy Science & Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.1171
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author Samih A. Halawy
Ahmed I. Osman
David W. Rooney
author_facet Samih A. Halawy
Ahmed I. Osman
David W. Rooney
author_sort Samih A. Halawy
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Herein we demonstrate the preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline ZnO, either pure or promoted with 1–10 wt.% K2O. All catalysts calcined at 400°C were in the nano‐crystallite scale as confirmed by X‐ray powder diffraction analysis in the 22.9–28.0 nm range. According to the CO2‐temperature‐programmed desorption study using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques, they have a broad spectrum of surface basic sites. Because of the significance of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) as a next‐generation biofuel candidate with high‐octane, low boiling point, and relatively high vapor pressure. The prepared catalysts were examined during the direct production of MEK via 2‐butanol (2B) dehydrogenation. Among catalysts tested, ZnO promoted with 1% K2O showed a superior catalytic activity towards the conversion of 2B to MEK, that is, 71.7% at a reaction temperature of 275°C. The selectivity for the production of MEK over all catalysts was ≥95% across all catalysts when using N2‐gas as a carrier. The use of airflow in this reaction resulted in a clear loss of selectivity toward MEK production as well as the appearance of undesirable products such as acetone and methanol. All catalytic properties of catalysts, particularly those of moderate strength, were highly correlated with the distribution of surface basic sites. Finally, a reaction mechanism was proposed for the dehydrogenation of 2B, followed by the partial oxidation of MEK.
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spelling doaj.art-e328cdf16576494cbbe353aaef34654a2022-12-22T02:51:50ZengWileyEnergy Science & Engineering2050-05052022-08-011082827284110.1002/ese3.1171Highly basic and active ZnO–x% K2O nanocomposite catalysts for the production of methyl ethyl ketone biofuelSamih A. Halawy0Ahmed I. Osman1David W. Rooney2Chemistry Department, Nanocomposite Catalysts Lab, Faculty of Science at Qena South Valley University Qena EgyptChemistry Department, Nanocomposite Catalysts Lab, Faculty of Science at Qena South Valley University Qena EgyptSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Queen's University Belfast Belfast, Northern Ireland UKAbstract Herein we demonstrate the preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline ZnO, either pure or promoted with 1–10 wt.% K2O. All catalysts calcined at 400°C were in the nano‐crystallite scale as confirmed by X‐ray powder diffraction analysis in the 22.9–28.0 nm range. According to the CO2‐temperature‐programmed desorption study using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques, they have a broad spectrum of surface basic sites. Because of the significance of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) as a next‐generation biofuel candidate with high‐octane, low boiling point, and relatively high vapor pressure. The prepared catalysts were examined during the direct production of MEK via 2‐butanol (2B) dehydrogenation. Among catalysts tested, ZnO promoted with 1% K2O showed a superior catalytic activity towards the conversion of 2B to MEK, that is, 71.7% at a reaction temperature of 275°C. The selectivity for the production of MEK over all catalysts was ≥95% across all catalysts when using N2‐gas as a carrier. The use of airflow in this reaction resulted in a clear loss of selectivity toward MEK production as well as the appearance of undesirable products such as acetone and methanol. All catalytic properties of catalysts, particularly those of moderate strength, were highly correlated with the distribution of surface basic sites. Finally, a reaction mechanism was proposed for the dehydrogenation of 2B, followed by the partial oxidation of MEK.https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.11712‐butanol dehydrogenationbasicitybiofuelK2O promotionmethyl ethyl ketoneZinc oxide
spellingShingle Samih A. Halawy
Ahmed I. Osman
David W. Rooney
Highly basic and active ZnO–x% K2O nanocomposite catalysts for the production of methyl ethyl ketone biofuel
Energy Science & Engineering
2‐butanol dehydrogenation
basicity
biofuel
K2O promotion
methyl ethyl ketone
Zinc oxide
title Highly basic and active ZnO–x% K2O nanocomposite catalysts for the production of methyl ethyl ketone biofuel
title_full Highly basic and active ZnO–x% K2O nanocomposite catalysts for the production of methyl ethyl ketone biofuel
title_fullStr Highly basic and active ZnO–x% K2O nanocomposite catalysts for the production of methyl ethyl ketone biofuel
title_full_unstemmed Highly basic and active ZnO–x% K2O nanocomposite catalysts for the production of methyl ethyl ketone biofuel
title_short Highly basic and active ZnO–x% K2O nanocomposite catalysts for the production of methyl ethyl ketone biofuel
title_sort highly basic and active zno x k2o nanocomposite catalysts for the production of methyl ethyl ketone biofuel
topic 2‐butanol dehydrogenation
basicity
biofuel
K2O promotion
methyl ethyl ketone
Zinc oxide
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.1171
work_keys_str_mv AT samihahalawy highlybasicandactiveznoxk2onanocompositecatalystsfortheproductionofmethylethylketonebiofuel
AT ahmediosman highlybasicandactiveznoxk2onanocompositecatalystsfortheproductionofmethylethylketonebiofuel
AT davidwrooney highlybasicandactiveznoxk2onanocompositecatalystsfortheproductionofmethylethylketonebiofuel