Modifying the Hydrogenation Activity of Zeolite Beta for Enhancing the Yield and Selectivity to Fuel-Range Alkanes from Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

In order to empower a circular carbon economy for addressing global CO2 emissions, the production of carbon-neutral fuels is especially desired, since addressing the global fuel demand via this route has the potential to significantly mitigate carbon emissions. In this study, we report a multifunctional catalyst combination consisting of a potassium promoted iron catalyst (Fe−K) and platinum containing zeolite beta (Pt-beta) which produces an almost entirely paraffinic mixture (up to C10 hydrocarbons) via CO2 hydrogenation in one step. Here, the Fe catalyst is responsible for modified Fischer-Tropsch synthesis from CO2 while Pt-beta is instrumental in tuning the product distribution almost entirely towards paraffins (both linear and branched) presumably via a combination of cracking and hydrogenation. The optimal temperature of operation was estimated to be 325 °C for the production of higher paraffins (C5–C10) with a selectivity of ca. 28 % at a CO2 conversion of ca. 31 %.