Abstract:
In this study, novel alumina catalyst support derived from bacterial cellulose (BC) was developed. BC is composed of nanosized cellulose fibers produced by Acetobacter xylinum. BC supported alumina catalysts were prepared by soaking purified BC hydrogel in aluminium nitrate aqueous solution and then dehydrating. The effects of concentration of acidic metal (Al) loading and dehydrating methods (hot air-drying and freeze-drying) were investigated. The BC supported alumina catalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 physisorption, SEM, FT-IR, back titration, and TGA. After that, the catalytic activity was tested for ethylene production by dehydration reaction of ethanol in gas phase at atmospheric pressure and temperature in the range of 200 oC to 400 oC. It was found that Al loading had a significant effect on surface area and acidity of the catalysts. Increase in Al loading resulted in decreased surface area but increased acidity property. In this study, the 50Al/BC-TD catalyst exhibited the highest ethylene selectivity and ethanol conversion at the reaction temperature of 400 oC.
