Silicalite-1 Encapsulated Cu-Based Catalyst for Selective Hydrogenation of Maleic Anhydride to γ-Butyrolactone

Abstract

γ-Butyrolactone (GBL) is a crucial product derived from the hydrogenation of maleic anhydride (MA). This study synthesized a Cu@Silicalite-1 (Cu@S1) catalyst with 20 % Cu loading through a combination of impregnation and solid-phase synthesis methods. The impact of Cu and Silicalite-1 zeolite binding techniques on the MA hydrogenation was systematically investigated. The results show MA conversion of 96.2 % and GBL selectivity of 27.6 % at 240 °C, with sustained catalytic activity even after 150 hours of propionic acid corrosion on the Cu@S1 catalyst. The Silicalite-1 zeolite plays a pivotal role in enhancing MA selective hydrogenation over Cu-based catalysts, improving GBL selectivity, and minimizing the formation of propionic acid by-products. The encapsulation of Cu particles by Silicalite-1 zeolite facilitates improved dispersion of the metal and enhanced adsorption of reactants, thereby serving as a valuable catalyst for enhancing the acid and water resistance in GBL production.