Promotion effect of K₂O and MnO additives on the selective production of light alkenes via syngas over Fe/silicalite-2 catalysts

Abstract

The addition of K₂O and MnO promoters enhances catalyst activity and selectivity to light alkenes during CO hydrogenation over silicate-2 (Si-2) supported Fe catalysts. The results of CO hydrogenation and CO-TPD, CO/H₂-TPSR, C₂H₄/H₂-TPSR and C₂H₄/H₂ pulse reaction over Fe/Si-2 catalysts with and without promoters clearly show that the MnO promoter mainly prohibits the hydrogenation of C₂H₄ and C₃H₆. Therefore, it enhances the selectivity to C₂H₄ and C₃H₄ products. Meanwhile further incorporating the K₂O additive into the FeMn/ Si-2 catalyst leads to a remarkable increase in both the capacity and strength of the strong CO adspecies. These produce much more [C_ad] via their dissociation and disproportionation at higher temperatures. This results in an increase in the CO conversion and the selectivity to light olefins. Moreover, the K₂O additive modifies the hydrogenating reactivity of [C_ad] and suppresses the disproportionation of C₂H₄ that occurs as a side-reaction. Both K₂O and MnO promoters play key roles for enhancing the selective production of light alkenes from CO hydrogenation over Fe/Si-2 catalyst.