Enhanced catalytic performance of Zr-modified ZSM-5-supported Zn for the hydration of acetylene to acetaldehyde

Zr-modified ZSM-5 zeolite was successfully prepared, and Zn/Zr-ZSM-5 was employed as a catalyst for the acetylene hydration reaction. High catalytic activity, above 96% C2H2 conversion, was achieved at 260 °C with a feed reactant ratio of H2O/C2H4 = 4 and a GHSV of 90 h−1. To understand the influence of zirconium addition in the zeolite, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, surface texture analysis (BET method), transmission electron microscopy, temperature programmed desorption of NH3, temperature programmed reduction by hydrogen and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques were used. The incorporation of zirconium in the zeolite enhanced Zn metal dispersion and metal–support interactions. Moreover, an enhanced concentration of weak acid sites and active catalytic sites were found to be responsible for the high catalytic activity of Zn/Zr-ZSM-5 for the acetylene hydration.