The Catalytic Performance of Fe2O3-CeO2 Nanocomposite in Ethanol Conversion

Abstract

ETHANOL dehydration over Fe2O3-CeO2 nanocomposite with …… different Fe2O3 wt% loadings was investigated. For comparison the pure Fe2O3 and CeO2 were also prepared. The different nanocomposite samples were prepared via a novel modified co-precipitation method. Pure Fe2O3 and CeO2 were prepared by conventional chemical precipitation method. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized by the aid of XRD, HRTEM, BET, TGA and XRF techniques. The results revealed that Fe2O3 and CeO2 produce a solid solution up to 15% Fe2O3. In the samples of higher Fe2O3 content, segregation of Fe2O3 on the surface were evidenced. Catalytic conversion of ethanol yielded mainly dehydration products with a distinguished activity toward ethylene. The highest ethanol conversion and maximized ethylene selectivity were achieved on the Fe15Ce85 catalyst and its selectivity achieves 90%. While ethylene yield increased over all catalysts by increasing the reaction temperature, production of diethyl ether and acetaldehyde was favored at low temperatures with a minor yield.
 
 

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