Confinement of Supported Metal Catalysts at High Loading in the Mesopore Network of Hierarchical Zeolites, with Access via the Microporous Windows

Abstract

High loading on a porous support is important for preparing high-performance metal catalysts, but the increased loading often results in a loss of dispersion and limited mass transfer. We approached this problem by supporting a large amount of metal or metal oxide on a hierarchically porous zeolite. The supported catalyst formed an embedded network of nanowires along the zeolite mesopores. Although tightly filled in the mesopores, the catalyst was readily accessible through microporous windows at the encasing mesopore walls. Cobalt, nickel, and TiO2, supported in this manner, exhibited high catalytic performance in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, benzene hydrogenation, and furfural-to-gamma-valerolactone conversion, respectively.