Preparation of Carbon Nanotubes with Supported Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: Effect of Metal Precursor on Thermal Decomposition Behavior of the Materials

To develop new catalysts based on carbon nanomaterials with supported metal oxide nanoparticles for oxidative transformations of sulfur compounds, a series of metal oxide nanoparticle-decorated carbon nanotubes (MOx/CNTs) were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation at a variation of the active metal type (M = Ce, Mo, Cu). The thermal decomposition of bulk and CNT supported metal precursors used in the preparation of MOx/CNTs was analyzed under inert atmosphere employing several thermoanalytical techniques (thermogravimetry, differential thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry) coupled with mass spectrometry. The thermolysis parameters of the bulk and supported metal precursors were compared and the effect of CNT support on the decomposition pattern of compounds was elucidated. It was established that the decomposition of metal precursors supported on CNTs was started and completed at temperatures of 15‒25 and 25‒70 °C lower, respectively, compared with the bulk active metal precursor. The enhancement of CNT support stability against thermal degradation is observed in the following row of metal cations: Ce < Cu < Мо < pristine and metal anions of precursor: nitrate < chloride < sulfate. The optimal mode of thermal treatment of catalyst and appropriate active metal precursors were selected for advanced synthesis of nanosized MOx/CNT catalyst.

Catalytic Dehydration of Ethanol over WOx Nanoparticles Supported on MFI (Mobile Five) Zeolite Nanosheets

Ethylene can be synthesized in a renewable manner by dehydrating bioethanol over supported metal oxide nanoparticle catalysts. Here, a series of nanoparticulate tungsten oxides supported on MFI (Mobil five) zeolite nanosheets was prepared at different W loadings (1 to 6 mol %) using the incipient wetness method and investigated with respect to the ability to catalyze the dehydration of ethanol. The resulting samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, N2 isotherms, X-ray absorption fine structures, and by the temperature-programmed desorption of NH3. The results obtained showed that WOx nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed over the entire void space of nanosheet samples up to a loading of 2 mol %, after which large WOx nanoparticles with needle-like morphology were formed on the surface of the zeolite nanosheet beyond 2mol%. The number of acid sites increased with WOx loading and, as a result, EtOH conversion progressively increased with WOx loading up to 6 mol %. At reaction temperatures of >390 °C, homogeneously distributed WOx nanoparticles showed slightly higher ethylene selectivity than nano-needle structured WOx. However, nano-needle structured WOx exhibited greater catalytic stability. In terms of ethylene yield over 8 h, needle-like WOx nanoparticles were found to be more suitable for the acid-catalyzed dehydration of ethanol than small-sized WOx nanoparticles.