Intermetallic Compounds as Highly Selective Catalysts in Microstructured Reactors

在该项目中，将研究将高选择性半加氢催化剂GaPd、GaPd2和Al13Fe4整合到微结构反应器中的创新途径，从而形成一种新的加氢技术。微结构反应器中优异的热传递特性允许在广泛的工艺参数范围内对材料进行精确的催化测试。这对金属间化合物的氢化动力学有重要的见解，特别是与传统合金基体系的差异。在技术实施中，可以实现更高的温度，从而可以利用过程热来产生蒸汽。通过这种方法，可以改善过程能量平衡。将开发三种不同的方法来合成或填充反应器中的金属间化合物：i)将不负载的Ga-Pd纳米颗粒填充在用作参比系统的交叉流微反应器中；ii)在微通道中喷墨打印Ga-Pd纳米颗粒和iii)溅射合成Ga-Pd金属间化合物和不含贵金属的金属间化合物Al13Fe4直接进入微通道。后者代表了具有高比表面积的化合物的薄涂层的替代和经济途径。该项目的工作包括Ga-Pd纳米颗粒的合成、表征以及用于印刷微结构箔的油墨的开发。此外，将对印刷或溅射涂层的相组成、附着力和形貌进行表征。对乙烯半加氢反应系统在大范围参数范围内的综合催化试验-超越已建立的技术-允许确定动力学值。这些为建立动力学模型和理论评价新加氢技术提供了基础。此外，制备的催化涂层还应测试其他不饱和烃（如丙炔或1,4-丁二烯）的加氢作用，以得出一般性结论。

Within the project innovative pathways to integrate the highly selective semi-hydrogenation catalysts GaPd, GaPd2 as well as Al13Fe4 into microstructured reactors will be investigated, to result in a new hydrogenation technology. The excellent heat transport in microstructured reactors allows exact catalytic testing of the materials in a wide range of process parameters. This results in important insights about the kinetics of the hydrogenation on intermetallic compounds, especially concerning the differences to conventional alloy-based systems. In the technical implementation higher temperatures could then be realized, enabling the use of the process heat to generate steam. By this, the process energy balance can be improved. Three different methods to synthesize or fill the intermetallic compounds in the reactors will be developed: i) unsupported Ga-Pd nanoparticles will be filled in a cross-flow microreactor which is used as reference system; ii) inkjet-printing of Ga-Pd nanoparticles in microchannels and iii) sputter-synthesis of the intermetallic Ga-Pd compounds as well as the noble metal-free intermetallic compound Al13Fe4 directly into the microchannels. The latter represents an alternative and economic pathway to thin coatings with high specific surface areas of the compounds.Work within the project comprises the synthesis of the Ga-Pd nanoparticles, their characterisation as well as the development of the ink for printing the microstructured foils. In addition, the printed or sputtered coatings will be characterised concerning their phase composition, adhesion and morphology. Comprehensive catalytic tests of the reactor systems in the semihydrogenation of ethyne in a large range of parameters - beyond the established technology - allow determination of kinetic values. These form the basis to model the kinetics and to theoretically evaluate the new hydrogenation technology. Furthermore, the prepared catalytic coatings shall be tested for the hydrogenation of other unsaturated hydrocarbons like propyne or 1,4-butadiene to enable general conclusions.