Zeolites in Microsystems for Chemical Synthesis and Energy Generation

Yeung, KLun; Kwan, SiuM; Lau, WaiN

HERO ID

4936135

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2009

HERO ID 4936135
In Press No
Year 2009
Title Zeolites in Microsystems for Chemical Synthesis and Energy Generation
Authors Yeung, KLun; Kwan, SiuM; Lau, WaiN
Journal Topics in Catalysis
Volume 52
Issue 1-2
Page Numbers 101-110
Abstract Zeolites were incorporated as membrane and catalyst in chemical microsystems for portable energy generation and fine chemical synthesis. Microfabricated HZSM-5 micromembrane was used as a proton-exchange membrane in a miniature direct methanol fuel cell (mu-DMFC). The good proton conductivity of HZSM-5 micromembrane was attributed to a Grotthus-like diffusion of protons along the water molecules bridging neighboring aluminum sites in the hydrated HZSM-5. The 6-mu m thick HZSM-5 micromembrane exhibited comparable proton flux as Nafion(A (R)) 117 and delivered a P (max) of 2.9 mW cm(-2) (E = 0.33 V) at room temperature. This is smaller compared to 16.5 mW cm(-2) (E = 0.23 V) for a Nafion(A (R))-based mu-DMFC and was believed to be caused by adsorbed methanol molecules interrupting the proton transport along the water bridge. A Cs-exchanged NaX on NaA bilayer catalyst-membrane incorporated in microreactor channels was used for the Knoevenagel condensation reactions between benzaldehyde and (1) ethyl cyanoacetate, (2) ethyl acetoacetate (EAA) and (3) diethyl malonate. Microreactor and membrane microreactor gave higher conversion compared to fixed-bed and batch reactors, but the reaction of benzaldehyde and EAA in the microreactor had poorer selectivity due to the slow diffusion of the product molecules in the microchannel that allowed their further reactions to form undesired byproducts.
Doi 10.1007/s11244-008-9146-4
Wosid WOS:000263428100010
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Keyword Fuel cell; Direct methanol fuel cell; Micro fuel cell; Microfluidic reactor; Membrane reactor; Membrane microreactor; ZSM-5; Fine chemistry