(329a) A Nature-Inspired Approach to Design Hierarchical Zeolites As Efficient Catalysts for Bio-Syngas to Olefins Conversion

The global production of light olefins, including ethylene, propylene and butylene, is substantial, amounting to more than 250 million metric tons annually, as they serve as building block for various products, including polymers, cosmetics, rubbers, and detergents.^[1] The conventional method to produce olefins involves steam cracking of natural gas or naphtha, which consumes a lot of energy and relies on non-renewable resources. Therefore, demand has increased for sustainable pathways that address resource limitations and reduce environmental impacts. In this regard, the catalytic conversion of syngas into olefins is desirable, and several technologies have been developed to improve this route including Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and methanol from syngas, followed by Methanol-to-Olefins (MTO). This could make the overall process more sustainable, if syngas is produced from a renewable resource, like biomass or waste.

A nature-inspired solution methodology will be employed, taking inspiration from the structures of leaves to synthesise hierarchical zeolites that will facilitate direct conversion of syngas to olefins, synergistically with a methanol synthesis catalyst.^[2] The common issue encountered with the reported catalysts is deactivation by coke accumulation, hence a strategy to enhance the catalyst lifetime is required. Therefore, zeolites with precisely controlled meso- and macropores will be synthesised to control molecular diffusion and mitigate the effects of catalyst deactivation.^[3] Furthermore, the modulation of surface barriers for effective control of mass transfer will be achieved through treatments of zeolites, utilising methods such as acid etching and SiO₂ deposition.^[4] The catalysts will be characterised using multiple spectroscopic technique such as NMR, gas physisorption, NH₃-TPD and HRTEM. The catalytic activity of the prepared catalyst for the direct syngas to olefins will be discussed.

[1] S. Zhao, H. Li, B. Wang, X. Yang, Y. Peng, H. Du, Y. Zhang, D. Han, Z. Li, Fuel 2022, 321, 124124.
[2] M. -O. Coppens, T. Weissenberger, Q. Zhang, G. Ye, Advanced Materials Interfaces 2021, 8, 2001409.
[3] T. Weissenberger, N. Kapil, P. Trogadas, M. -O. Coppens, ChemCatChem 2022, 14, e202200268.
[4] S. Xu, K. Zheng, C.-R. Boruntea, D.-G. Cheng, F. Chen, G. Ye, X. Zhou, M.-O. Coppens, Chem. Soc. Rev. 2023, 52, 3991-4005.