A novel and effective Zn/PEI-MCM catalyst for the acetylene hydration to acetaldehyde

Abstract

MCM-41 material was modified by polyethyleneimine (PEI) using ultrasonic assisted impregnation method with different PEI loading (P-MCM-x, x = 0–15 wt%). The synthesised P-MCM-x materials and corresponding Zn/P-MCM-x catalysts were characterised by FTIR, XRD, TEM, BET, XPS, TG and H2-TPR, as well as their catalytic performance in the hydration of acetylene was investigated. The results showed that the modified materials retained the mesoporous structure with good thermostability, and the corresponding Zn/P-MCM-x displayed the higher catalytic performance than that of Zn/MCM-41 catalyst, especially for the Zn/P-MCM-12 catalyst with about 88% C2H2 conversion and 85% selectivity, and the optimal content of PEI is 12 wt%. More importantly, the introduction of PEI enhanced metal-support interaction to make the better metal dispersion and more active sites, and the charge transfer from N atom to Zn species. These all would be responsible for the high activity of the modified Zn catalysts in the acetylene hydration.