Hydrodeoxygenation of m-cresol over Pd/Al-SBA-15 catalysts: Effect of Al content on the deoxygenation reaction pathways

The effect of aluminium content (x = 5, 20 and 40 wt %) in SBA-15 type silica supports used to obtain Pd/xAl-SBA-15 catalysts was evaluated the HDO reaction m-cresol at 300 °C, under atmospheric high (30 bar) pressure. Aluminium incorporation performed using two-step pH-adjustment method, affording deposition Al phases over previously precipitated. Pd thereafter deposed incipient wetness impregnation. Physico-chemical properties were investigated by XRD, N2 physisorption, H2 chemisorption, DRIFTS adsorbed pyridine, STEM-EDX mapping coupled HAADF imaging. acidity (Brønsted Lewis sites) generated low (i.e. 5 onto structure resulted improvement m-cresol, with an increase selectivity toward deoxygenated products, toluene pressure (38 % for Pd/SBA vs. 77 Pd/Al5-SBA) methylcyclohexane (14 30 Pd/Al5-SBA). into methylcyclohexanone also affected total pressure: vs 64 bar However, pressure, higher contents, side reactions catalyzed acid sites promoted, such as isomerization disproportionation reactions, which not observed Besides that, quantity leaded decrease surface accessibility hence drop on rate both conditions. This work demonstrated efficiency catalyst can be obtained a precise adjustment SBA catalytic support.