콘텐츠 본문
논문 해외 국제전문학술지(SCI급) Zeolite Beta Nanosponge with High Acidity on Mesopores for Efficient Tributyrin Transesterification
- 학술지 구분 국제전문학술지(SCI급)
- 게재년월 2025-12
- 저자명 Jeong, J., Cho, K., Kim, S. H., Lee, D., Park, J.-I., Bae, D., Cho, K.,* and Kim, J.-C.*
- 학술지명 Fuel
- 발행처명 ELSEVIER
- 발행국가 해외
- 논문언어 외국어
- 전체저자수 8
- 논문 다운로드 링크(외부) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016236125016904?dgcid=author
논문 초록 (Abstract)
The demand for technologies that convert waste bio-oils and fats into hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA), used as biofuels for decarbonizing long-distance transport, has increased significantly. Here, we present a zeolite beta nanosponge synthesized using a structure-directing surfactant. This material features a highly mesoporous architecture formed by ultrathin (~ 5 nm) zeolitic frameworks. We demonstrate its effectiveness in the catalytic pre-treatment of fat-derived molecules by using tributyrin transesterification. It is a key step prior to hydroprocessing into liquid hydrocarbons. The reaction was conducted in a batch reactor at 373 K using a 1:60 molar ratio of tributyrin to methanol. Due to the bulky nature of tributyrin, catalysis primarily occurs at acid sites on external surfaces and mesopore walls, rather than within internal micropores. As a result, the zeolite beta nanosponge showed a 13.5-fold higher catalytic activity than commercial zeolite beta with limited mesoporosity. It also outperformed Al-MCM-41, a mesoporous material with fewer strong acid sites. Furthermore, the catalyst maintained its crystalline structure and acidity over five consecutive reaction cycles.
