Development of solid zeolitic catalysts for biomass valorization reactions

Abstract

The main objective of this thesis plan is the development of micro/mesoporous zeolites through direct synthesis and post synthesis alkaline treatments for their use as heterogeneous catalysts in biomass valorization reactions. In this work we propose the generation of additional porosity in microporous zeolites with ZSM-5 and ZSM-11 structures by direct synthesis using soluble starch and a cationic surfactant (CTAB) as mesoporous templates. The effects of the soluble starch and CTAB contents and crystallization times on the crystalline structure and mesoporous generation were studied. The obtained solids were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms, BET surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).The results confirmed that the obtained zeolites by both synthesis possess micro and mesoporous in their structure.