Examination of the Effects of the Catalysts Functionality On the Selective Oxidation of Methanol

Examination of the effects of the catalysts functionality on the selective oxidation of Methanol

E. Qayyum  and J.N. Kuhn *

University of South Florida, Tampa, USA

*Department of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, 813-974-6498 begin_of_the_skype_highlightingend_of_the_skype_highlighting, jnkuhn@usf.edu

Methanol is seen as a viable option as a fuel in futuristic fuel cell vehicle applications and its selective oxidation to numerous high value chemicals such as dimethyl ether (DME), formaldehyde and hydroformylation products demonstrates it as a chemical platform. Both uses of methanol involved catalytic chemistry for efficient energy usage.

The focus of the current research is on the selective oxidation of methanol to various chemical products using catalytic chemistry. The catalysts were grouped into two categories, which include bulk catalysts (silica, ceria, silica-alumina, titania, copper, and aluminum phosphate) and supported metal catalysts (metals immobilized onto the various bulk catalysts). The acidic catalysts, which include silica-alumina and aluminum phosphate, demonstrated a tendency towards DME. Alternatively, ceria, silica, and the supported metal catalysts showed selectivity towards formaldehyde and combustion products. Currently, catalyst alterations to maximize selectivity for a single route are being investigated.