Synthesis of Co-doped micro-mesoporous SAPO-11 zeolite for glycerol hydrogenolysis

Co-doped micro-mesoporous SAPO-11 zeolite (Co-MSAPO-11) was synthesized and used for hydrogenolysis of glycerol. After simultaneous introduction of Co and mesopores, the pore structure and acidic properties of microporous SAPO-11 zeolite are reintegrated. The larger mesopores of Co-MSAPO-11 facilitate the diffusion of molecules and provide more space for the highly dispersed Co species. The appropriate acidity of Co-MSAPO-11 with more Lewis acid sites appears to be more helpful for the activation of reactants to intermediates, potentially increasing the probability of high selectivity to 1,2-propanediol. Therefore, Co-MSAPO-11 shows unique catalytic performance with a glycerol conversion of 94.0% and selectivity to 1,2-PDO of 90.5% under mild conditions. The possible representative model of Co-MSAPO-11 is proposed for the first time.