Alumino-mesostructured Ni catalysts for the direct conversion of ethene to propene

Ni/MCM-41 and Ni/AlMCM-41 were synthesized at different Si/Al ratios and tested in the direct conversion of ethene to propene (ETP-reaction). It was intended to evaluate the effect of modifying the catalyst acidity on the ETP-reaction rather than optimizing its performance. All catalysts were characterized by powder XRD, N2-physisorption, 29Si and 27Al MAS NMR, TEM, NH3-TPD, pyridine-DRITFS, H2-TPR, and TPO. Ni/MCM-41 showed low catalytic activity due to its low acidity. Ni/AlMCM-41 catalyst with a Si/Al ratio of 60 had high catalytic activity. Characterization results revealed that the catalyst structure does not have effect on the catalytic activity. Al could be incorporated into the MCM-41 framework up to Si/Al ratio of 16. Two different Ni-composites on the surface of the MCM-41 and AlMCM-41 were observed. Deeper characterization is required to know the Ni state. Important deactivation was observed at 450 °C. The nature of the carbonaceous species and reaction mechanism require deeper characterization.