Gas phase selective conversion of glycerol to acrolein over supported silicotungstic acid catalyst

Gas phase dehydration of glycerol to acrolein over a series of supported HSiW on ZrO2 and nano-sized gamma-A1(2)O(3) catalyst has been investigated. The characterization results revealed that impregnation of gamma-Al2O3 nanoparticles increased the specific surface area, pore diameter, and thermal stability of the supported catalysts. The highest acrolein selectivity of 88.5% at 97.0% glycerol conversion was achieved over 0.5 g 30HZ-20A catalyst in 3 h at glycerol feed concentration of 10 wt%, temperature = 300 ?C and TOF = 136 h(-1). The coke deposition has no significant effect on the activity of 30HZ-20A catalyst. Indeed, the catalyst was stable even after 40 h. (C) 2015 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.