Acetic Acid Ketonization over Fe3O4/SiO2 for Pyrolysis Bio‐Oil Upgrading. Issue 9 (18th January 2017) - Bennett, James A.
Abstract: A family of silica‐supported, magnetite nanoparticle catalysts was synthesised and investigated for continuous‐flow acetic acid ketonisation as a model pyrolysis bio‐oil upgrading reaction. The physico‐chemical properties of Fe3 O4 /SiO2 catalysts were characterised by using high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, X‐ray photo‐electron spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and porosimetry. The acid site densities were inversely proportional to the Fe3 O4 particle size, although the acid strength and Lewis character were size‐invariant, and correlated with the specific activity for the vapour‐phase acetic ketonisation to acetone. A constant activation energy (∼110 kJ mol −1 ), turnover frequency (∼13 h −1 ) and selectivity to acetone of 60 % were observed for ketonisation across the catalyst series, which implies that Fe3 O4 is the principal active component of Red Mud waste. Abstract : Don't muddy the waters : Silica‐supported Fe3 O4 nanoparticles are an abundant, low‐cost catalyst for the upgrading of fast pyrolysis bio‐oils to produce green transport fuels through acetic acid ketonization. Lewis acids sites that arise from nanoparticulate Fe3 O4 are likely to be the active site responsible for ketonization within Red Mud waste.