Development of solid zeolitic catalysts for biomass valorization reactions

Abstract

The main objective of this thesis plan is the development of hierarchical zeolites through direct synthesis methods or post synthesis modifications. The obtained micro/mesoporous materials would be employed as catalyst in biomass transformation processes. In the present work, the generation of secondary porosity in microporous zeolites with ZSM-5 structure is proposed using soluble starch as a bio-mesoporous template by conventional hydrothermal treatment and microwave-assisted synthesis. The effect of the starch content and the type of heating on the formation of mesoporosity and in the crystalline structure formation are analyzed. The hierarchical zeolites were characterized by different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms, BET surface area, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) of Al27. The results confirmed that starch has a significant impact on the formation of hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolites after 5 min of microwave radiation.