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Selectivity maximization of ethylene epoxidation via NEMCA with zirconia and β″-Al2O3 solid electrolytes

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Abstract

The silver-catalyzed epoxidation of ethylene is a reaction of great technological importance and also represents one of the most challenging and thoroughly studied catalytic systems.

It was found that the catalytic activity and selectivity of polycrystalline Ag for the epoxidation and complete oxidation of ethylene can be affected in a pronounced and reversible manner by electrochemically supplying or removing oxygen ions O2- or Na+ to or from the silver catalyst surface in ZrO2 (8 mol%Y2O3) or β″-Al2O3 solid electrolyte cell reactors and in the presence or absence of traces of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the gas phase.

The steady-state changes in catalytic rates of formation of C2H4O and CO2 are typically 10 to 100 times larger than the corresponding rate of ion transport to or from the catalyst surface, i.e., the reaction exhibits the effect of Non-Faradaic Electrochemical Modification of Catalytic Activity (NEMCA) or “Electrochemical Promotion”. The selectivity to C2H4O can be very significantly altered, relative to open circuit conditions.

Under fuel rich conditions, temperatures near 250°C and in the presence of traces of 1,2-C2H4Cl2 in the gas phase selectivity values as high as 88% can be obtained, well above the ones reported in the open literature.

The observed phenomena are discussed and interpreted within the framework of previous NEMCA studies and the currently prevailing ideas regarding the mechanism of ethylene epoxidation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering and ICE/HT, University of Patras, GR-26500, Patras, Greece

    Ch. Karavasilis, S. Bebelis & C. G. Vayenas

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  1. Ch. Karavasilis
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  2. S. Bebelis
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  3. C. G. Vayenas
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Karavasilis, C., Bebelis, S. & Vayenas, C.G. Selectivity maximization of ethylene epoxidation via NEMCA with zirconia and β″-Al2O3 solid electrolytes. Ionics 1, 85–91 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02426013

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