Synthesis, Characterization, and Deoxygenation Properties of Cobalt-Ruthenium Phosphide Catalysts

Co-Author(s)

Carrillo, Bo; Topalian, Peter

Research Mentor(s)

Bussell, Mark E.

Description

Biofuels are a promising alternative for transportation fuels due to their low carbon footprint, low sulfur content, and viability for use in existing fuel infrastructure. Biofuels can be sourced from fast pyrolysis oil, which is derived from biomass, but it must be deoxygenated before it can be effectively used as a transportation fuel. Current industrial hydrotreating catalysts, such as nickel molybdenum sulfide (Ni-MoS2/Al2O3), are poor deoxygenation catalysts and require that sulfur compounds be added to the feedstock to keep the catalyst in its active state. Ruthenium phosphide catalysts (Ru2P/SiO2) have shown high activity and do not require sulfur additives in the feedstock in order to remain active, making them promising for use as deoxygenation catalysts. Bimetallic phosphide catalysts composed of ruthenium and an earth abundant metal (e.g. Fe, Co, Ni) are being explored as a possible work around to the high cost of using ruthenium alone. The use of bimetallic phosphides of ruthenium also allows for tuning of catalytic properties via variation of the metal ratio (e.g. Co/Ru) in the catalyst. A series of silica-supported CoXRu2-XP catalysts were synthesized via incipient wetness impregnation followed by reduction in flowing H2 at 773 K. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis was used to determine the composition of each sample, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to confirm the phase-purity of the phosphides. The catalysts were tested for deoxygenation activity and selectivity using furan (C4H4O), and active site densities were determined using CO chemisorption. The trends in catalyst deoxygenation activity and selectivity with Co content will be discussed in the context of the characterization results.

Document Type

Event

Start Date

14-5-2015 10:00 AM

End Date

14-5-2015 2:00 PM

Department

Chemistry

Genre/Form

student projects; posters

Subjects – Topical (LCSH)

Biomass energy; Catalysis; Green chemistry

Type

Image

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this documentation for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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May 14th, 10:00 AM May 14th, 2:00 PM

Synthesis, Characterization, and Deoxygenation Properties of Cobalt-Ruthenium Phosphide Catalysts

Biofuels are a promising alternative for transportation fuels due to their low carbon footprint, low sulfur content, and viability for use in existing fuel infrastructure. Biofuels can be sourced from fast pyrolysis oil, which is derived from biomass, but it must be deoxygenated before it can be effectively used as a transportation fuel. Current industrial hydrotreating catalysts, such as nickel molybdenum sulfide (Ni-MoS2/Al2O3), are poor deoxygenation catalysts and require that sulfur compounds be added to the feedstock to keep the catalyst in its active state. Ruthenium phosphide catalysts (Ru2P/SiO2) have shown high activity and do not require sulfur additives in the feedstock in order to remain active, making them promising for use as deoxygenation catalysts. Bimetallic phosphide catalysts composed of ruthenium and an earth abundant metal (e.g. Fe, Co, Ni) are being explored as a possible work around to the high cost of using ruthenium alone. The use of bimetallic phosphides of ruthenium also allows for tuning of catalytic properties via variation of the metal ratio (e.g. Co/Ru) in the catalyst. A series of silica-supported CoXRu2-XP catalysts were synthesized via incipient wetness impregnation followed by reduction in flowing H2 at 773 K. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis was used to determine the composition of each sample, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to confirm the phase-purity of the phosphides. The catalysts were tested for deoxygenation activity and selectivity using furan (C4H4O), and active site densities were determined using CO chemisorption. The trends in catalyst deoxygenation activity and selectivity with Co content will be discussed in the context of the characterization results.