https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2015-02513-9
Regular Article
Influence of the particle size of Cu-ZSM-5 for the heterogeneous oxidation of bulky hydrocarbons
1 Laboratoire de Chimie des Matériaux, University Oran, Oran 31000, Algeria
2 ENSCM, Institut Charles Gerhardt, UMR CNRS ENSCM 5253 UM2 UM1, 34296 Montpellier 5, France
a e-mail: philippe.trens@enscm.fr
Received: 1 December 2014
Revised: 21 May 2015
Published online: 30 July 2015
Diffusion limitations inducing pores blocking is a key para- meter when using heterogeneous catalysts. The aim of this work is to study the influence of the particle size and therefore, the external surface extent, on catalytic properties of ZSM-5 crystals. Nanocrystals or microcrystals of Cu-ZSM-5 were prepared and characterized. The key difference between these catalysts is the extent of external active surface, favouring the nanocrystal form of ZSM-5. Both materials were further employed for the catalytic oxidation of various substrates differing by their size. Oxidation of indane, tetralin, propyl and octylbenzene was successfully performed when using both catalysts. However, a clear enhancement was observed when the nanocrystal form of Cu-ZSM-5 was used. The different efficiency of both catalysts was discussed in terms of external active surface and diffusion limitations.
© EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag, 2015
