Influence of dendrimeric silica BEA zeolite towards acidity and mesoporosity for enhanced benzene methylation. (2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rahman, A.F.A.; Jalil, A.A.; Hitam, C.N.C.; Hassan, N.S.; Mohamed, M.; Hambali, H.U.
• Is Part Of: Materials today. Volume 42:Part 1(2021)
• Page Start: 211
• Page End: 216
• Publication Date: 2021
• Subjects: Microemulsion method -- FBEA -- Mesopore -- Brönsted acid sites -- Benzene alkylation; Materials science -- Congresses -- Periodicals; 620.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.11.589
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7853

Abstract

Abstract: Fibrous silica BEA zeolite (FBEA) was synthesized by microemulsion method and tested for benzene methylation. The FESEM and N2 physisorption verified that the FBEA exhibited a dendrimeric silica fiber morphology with large surface area and high ratio of mesopores and micropore volume. While the FTIR pre-adsorbed pyridine revealed that the FBEA possessed low Brönsted acid sites compared to commercial beta zeolite. The catalytic testing at 300 °C showed that FBEA was catalytically active towards benzene methylation to produce toluene with 97.8% conversion and 55.5% yield. It is suggested that the fibrous morphology might increase the mesopores volume and reduce the acidity, hence, improves the benzene alkylation reaction.