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Material Characterization and Heterogeneous Catalysis

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 January 2024) | Viewed by 5744

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
Interests: sorption; adsorbents; catalysts; carbon materials; carbon dioxide; methane; biomass; modeling
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Guest Editor
Department of Catalytic and Sorbent Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Piastów Ave. 42, 71-065 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: heterogenous catalysis; biomass; carbon dioxide; adsorption; absorption; sorbents
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Catalysis is a fundamentally efficient process that can be used to derive a wide spectrum of chemicals. Therefore, catalytic processes play a key role in the sustainable development of the industry. There is plenty of space in the existing literature for more studies on the design, preparation, development, testing and modeling of robust heterogeneous catalysts. Topics of interest include for this Special Issue include the production and modification methods of such catalysts, their characterization via various techniques, as well as the modeling and investigation of their reactivity.

We invite submissions on a wide range of subjects concerning heterogeneous catalysis, including but not limited to sustainable processes, novel catalysts’ preparation, their characterization, as well as their global impact on the energy cycle and the environment.

Dr. Karolina Kiełbasa
Prof. Dr. Joanna Sreńscek-Nazzal
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • heterogenous catalysts
  • surface reactivity
  • catalysts preparation
  • promotion and poisoning
  • energy
  • sustainable technologies

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 6017 KiB  
Article
Adsorption Equilibrium of CO2 on Microporous Activated Carbon Produced from Avocado Stone Using H2SO4 as an Activating Agent
by Joanna Siemak and Beata Michalkiewicz
Sustainability 2023, 15(24), 16881; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416881 - 15 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1210
Abstract
In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation into activated carbons derived from avocado stones produced through chemical activation using sulfuric acid. The analysis encompassed X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra, FTIR, SEM and essential textural parameters, namely specific surface area, total pore volume, and [...] Read more.
In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation into activated carbons derived from avocado stones produced through chemical activation using sulfuric acid. The analysis encompassed X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra, FTIR, SEM and essential textural parameters, namely specific surface area, total pore volume, and micropore volume. Moreover, we scrutinized carbon dioxide adsorption isotherms and subjected the experimental data to fit with both two-parameter and four-parameter equilibrium isotherm models. To achieve the most accurate parameter estimation, five error functions were employed. Furthermore, we calculated the isosteric heat of adsorption for the most promising CO2 sorbent, providing valuable insights into the thermodynamic aspects of the adsorption process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Material Characterization and Heterogeneous Catalysis)
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17 pages, 9011 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Basic Properties of Y1−xYbxVO4 Obtained by High-Energy Ball Milling and High-Temperature Treatment
by Mateusz Piz, Elżbieta Filipek, Daniel Klukowski and Paweł Kochmański
Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14606; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914606 - 9 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 895
Abstract
The main objective of this work was to experimentally confirm that a continuous, substitutional solid solution of a general formula Y1−xYbxVO4 is formed in the pseudo-binary system YVO4–YbVO4, and to investigate its basic unknown [...] Read more.
The main objective of this work was to experimentally confirm that a continuous, substitutional solid solution of a general formula Y1−xYbxVO4 is formed in the pseudo-binary system YVO4–YbVO4, and to investigate its basic unknown properties as a function of composition for 0.00 < x < 1.00. To date, such a solid solution has been obtained and characterized to a limited extent, but only for a few selected compositions. This solution was obtained by a high temperature and, for the first time, using mechanochemical methods. For the solution obtained by the high-energy ball-milling method, unknown physicochemical properties were established over its entire range of homogeneity. The solution was synthesized from mixtures of yttrium orthovanadate (V) with ytterbium (III) orthovanadate (V) of different compositions and investigated by XRD, IR, SEM, and UV-Vis(DRS) methods. It was found that Y1−xYbxVO4 crystallizes in a tetragonal system. The results confirmed that the solid solution Y1−xYbxVO4 has a structure of YVO4 and YbVO4, and its structure is composed of YbO6 and YO6 octahedrons and VO4 tetrahedrons. Moreover, if the parameter (x) in the solid solution Y1−xYbxVO4 increases, its crystalline lattice contracts and the value of the energy gap decreases. This solid solution is stable in the air atmosphere at least up to ~1500 °C. The estimated band gap for this solid solution indicates that it belongs to the semiconductors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Material Characterization and Heterogeneous Catalysis)
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19 pages, 5710 KiB  
Article
The Application of Clinoptilolite as the Green Catalyst in the Solvent-Free Oxidation of α-Pinene with Oxygen
by Jadwiga Grzeszczak, Agnieszka Wróblewska, Karolina Kiełbasa, Zvi C. Koren and Beata Michalkiewicz
Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10381; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310381 - 30 Jun 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1394
Abstract
In this work, we present the catalytic application of the naturally occurring zeolite, clinoptilolite, in the oxidation of α-pinene, a natural terpene compound. Clinoptilolites with different average particle sizes, designated as (in μm) clin_1 (20), clin_2 (50), clin_3 (200), and clin_4 (500–1000), were [...] Read more.
In this work, we present the catalytic application of the naturally occurring zeolite, clinoptilolite, in the oxidation of α-pinene, a natural terpene compound. Clinoptilolites with different average particle sizes, designated as (in μm) clin_1 (20), clin_2 (50), clin_3 (200), and clin_4 (500–1000), were used as the green catalysts in the solvent-free oxidation of α-pinene with oxygen. Prior to their application in catalytic tests, the catalysts were characterized by the following methods: nitrogen sorption at 77 K, EDXRF, XRD, SEM, UV-Vis, and FTIR. The effects of the temperature, amount of the catalyst, and reaction time on the product’s selectivity and α-pinene conversion were determined. At the optimal conditions (a temperature of 100 °C, catalyst content (clin_4) in the reaction mixture of 0.05 wt%, and 210 min reaction time), the following compounds were obtained as the main products: α-pinene oxide (selectivity 29 mol%), verbenol (selectivity 17 mol%), and verbenone (selectivity 13 mol%). The conversion of α-pinene under these conditions amounted to 35 mol%. Additionally, the kinetic modeling of α-pinene oxidation over the most active catalyst (clin_4) was performed. The proposed method of oxidation is environmentally safe because it does not require the separation of products from the solvent. In addition, this method allows for managing the biomass in the form of turpentine, which is the main source of α-pinene. The catalytic application of clinoptilolite in the oxidation of α-pinene has not yet been reported in the literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Material Characterization and Heterogeneous Catalysis)
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23 pages, 7037 KiB  
Article
Carbon-Supported Nickel Catalysts—Comparison in Alpha-Pinene Oxidation Activity
by Adrianna Kamińska, Joanna Sreńscek-Nazzal, Karolina Kiełbasa, Jadwiga Grzeszczak, Jarosław Serafin and Agnieszka Wróblewska
Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 5317; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065317 - 16 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1595
Abstract
In this work, carbon-supported nickel catalysts with different Ni content (1, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 wt%) were tested in the oxidation of alpha-pinene in solvent-free reaction conditions. The process of catalyst preparation consisted of two stages. In the first stage, the activated [...] Read more.
In this work, carbon-supported nickel catalysts with different Ni content (1, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 wt%) were tested in the oxidation of alpha-pinene in solvent-free reaction conditions. The process of catalyst preparation consisted of two stages. In the first stage, the activated carbon from spent coffee grounds was obtained. In the second stage, the active phase in the form of nickel compounds was applied using two methods: (1) the impregnation of the material with the nickel salt solution, and next reduction in H2, and (2) the hydrothermal method in the autoclave using the reductor and the reaction stabilizer. The obtained catalysts were subjected to the following instrumental studies: FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and N2 adsorption at −196 °C. The performed catalytic tests showed that the catalysts containing 5 wt% of Ni (porous material obtained by the impregnation method) and 1 wt% of Ni (porous material obtained by the hydrothermal method) were the most active in the oxidation of alpha-pinene, and the main oxidation products were alpha-pinene oxide, verbenol, and verbenone. Ultimately, the hydrothermal method of catalyst preparation turned out to be more advantageous because it allows one to obtain higher selectivities of the epoxide compound, probably due to the greater stability of this organic compound in pores. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Material Characterization and Heterogeneous Catalysis)
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