Tracking the solid-state incorporation of Sn into the framework of dealuminated zeolite beta, and consequences for catalyst design

DOI: 10.1039/D2TA03837D

Authors: Ricardo Navar (Cardiff University) , Giulia Tarantino (Imperial College London) , Owain T. Beynon (Cardiff University) , Daniele Padovan (Cardiff University) , Luca Botti (Imperial College London) , Emma K. Gibson (University of Glasgow; UK Catalysis Hub, Research Complex at Harwell) , Peter P. Wells (UK Catalysis Hub, Research Complex at Harwell; University of Southampton; Diamond Light Source) , Alun Owens (Cardiff University) , Simon Kondrat (Loughborough University) , Andrew J. Logsdail (Cardiff University) , Ceri Hammond (Imperial College London)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Journal Of Materials Chemistry A

State: Published (Approved)
Published: September 2022
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 12597

Abstract: Sn-Beta has emerged as a state-of-the-art catalyst for a range of sustainable chemical transformations. Conventionally prepared by bottom-up hydrothermal synthesis methods, recent research has demonstrated the efficiency of several top-down methods of preparation. One attractive top-down approach is Solid-State Incorporation, where a dealuminated Beta zeolite is physically mixed with a solid Sn precursor, in particular Sn (II) acetate, prior to heat treatment at 550 °C. This procedure is fast and benign, and metal incorporation requires no solvents and hence produces no aqueous Sn-containing waste streams. Although the performances of these catalysts have been well explored in recent years, the mechanism of heteroatom incorporation remains unknown, and hence, opportunities to improve the synthetic procedure via a molecular approach remain. Herein, we utilise a range of in situ spectroscopic techniques, alongside kinetic and computational methods, to elucidate the mechanisms that occur during preparation of the catalyst, and then improve the efficacy of the synthetic protocol. Specifically, we find that successful incorporation of Sn into the lattice occurs in several distinct steps, including i) preliminary coordination of the metal ion to the vacant lattice sites of the zeolite during physical grinding; ii) partial incorporation of the metal ion into the zeolite framework upon selective decomposition of the acetate ligands, which occurs upon heating the physical mixture in an inert gas flow from room temperature to 550 °C; and iii) full isomorphous substitution of Sn into the lattice alongside its simultaneous oxidation to Lewis acidic Sn(IV), when the physically mixed material is exposed to air during a short (<1 h) isotherm period. Long isotherm steps are shown to be unnecessary, and fully oxidised Sn(IV) precursors are shown to be unsuitable for successful incorporation into the lattice. We also find that the formation of extra-framework Sn oxides is primarily dependent on the quantity of Sn present in the initial physical mixture. Based on these findings, we demonstrate a faster synthetic protocol for the preparation of Sn-Beta materials via Solid-State Incorporation, and benchmark their performance of the catalyst for the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley transfer hydrogenation reaction and for the isomerisation of glucose to fructose.

Subject Areas: Chemistry, Materials


Instruments: B18-Core EXAFS

Added On: 16/09/2022 08:57

Documents:
d2ta03837d.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Zeolites Physical Chemistry Catalysis Chemistry Materials Science

Technical Tags:

Spectroscopy X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS)