N-Hexane isomerisation: Exploit hydrogen spillover to reduce catalyst costs

Abstract

We report the role of hydrogen spillover in n-hexane isomerisation over carbon nanotubes or SiC mixed with hierarchical zeolite beta. Here we infer that: (1) hydrogen spillover is a necessary step; (2) spilled-over H hydrogenates isomerised olefin at Brønsted acid sites only; and (3) closeness between acid and metal sites at the nanoscale enhances the rate of reaction, though this is not a requirement for this reaction to proceed. The economic advantage of the spillover phenomenon (necessitating less Pt on the catalyst) has been highlighted.