Dynamic Evolution of Fe and Carbon Species over Different ZrO2Supports during CO Prereduction and Their Effects on CO2Hydrogenation to Light Olefins

Jie Huang, Suyu Jiang, Meng Wang, Xiaoxing Wang, Jian Gao, Chunshan Song

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

The dynamic evolution of active Fe species and carbon species during CO prereduction was revealed for Fe-Zr catalysts with different (monoclinic and tetragonal) zirconia supports (m-ZrO2 and t-ZrO2) on CO2 hydrogenation to light olefins. As the Fe loading reached 15 wt %, the corresponding Fe-K/m-ZrO2 catalyst presented a remarkable CO2 conversion (38.8%) and a high selectivity to light olefins in the hydrocarbon (C-H) products (42.8%). Using in situ characterization techniques including in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), the dynamic evolution (reduction and carburization) of iron oxides and the generation of diverse carbon species during CO prereduction on different ZrO2 supports were probed. The detected intermediate FeO species in the Fe-K/m-ZrO2 catalyst indicates a mild and sufficient reduction of Fe2O3 on m-ZrO2, promoting the carburization leading to smaller and more active iron species (Fe3O4 and χ-Fe5C2). More oxygen vacancies (Ov) on the surface of m-ZrO2 and the electron-donating ability of iron elements boosted the charge transfer between Fe and the ZrO2 support, forming a more active Fe species. For the Fe-K/t-ZrO2 catalyst, the low selectivity of CxHy implied its weak capacity to produce light olefins through CO2 hydrogenation. By comparison, the m-ZrO2 support provided relatively more strong basic sites, reducing the physically deposited carbon species and coke generation. The formation of more χ-Fe5C2 species contributed to the high yield of light olefins in products. Tuning the physicochemical properties and base microenvironment of supports could be an effective means to boost the iron catalyst activity for CO2 hydrogenation to olefins.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7891-7903
Number of pages13
JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering
Volume9
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 14 2021

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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