Issue 5, 2022

Catalytic selective ring opening of polyaromatics for cleaner transportation fuels

Abstract

The selective C–C bond cleavage of mono- and bicyclic naphthenic molecules via catalytic ring opening plays a vital role in refining low-quality fossil oils and pyrolysis oils derived from municipal solid waste or waste biomass and tyres. Diesel fuels derived from such oils exhibit high polyaromatic content and low cetane number (CN), resulting in significant particulate emissions upon (inefficient) combustion. Catalytic upgrading of these oils via ring opening to form paraffinic molecules enhances their CN, producing cleaner burning fuels, with reduced particulate and sulfur emissions. Supported transition metal catalysts are attractive candidates for obtaining high-quality fuels by selective C–C bond cleavage of naphthenic molecules with high conversion. Ring opening of model polyaromatics can proceed through several reaction pathways, dictated by the catalyst, feedstock and reaction conditions, producing hydrocarbons with the desired CN. Identification of the active sites in supported transition metal nanoparticles responsible for different ring opening pathways is essential for the development of next-generation catalysts exhibiting higher selectivity and stability. Here, we critically review recent advances in the selective ring opening (SRO) of naphthenic molecules to paraffinic hydrocarbons (with high CN and low aromaticity), and discuss the impact of catalyst design on performance and reaction mechanism. Technical challenges in designing transition metal catalysts for SRO are discussed, and avenues explored for improving diesel fuel quality from low-grade feedstocks, including municipal solid waste.

Graphical abstract: Catalytic selective ring opening of polyaromatics for cleaner transportation fuels

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
01 8月 2021
Accepted
23 3月 2022
First published
23 3月 2022

Energy Environ. Sci., 2022,15, 1760-1804

Catalytic selective ring opening of polyaromatics for cleaner transportation fuels

D. Jampaiah, D. Y. Murzin, A. F. Lee, D. Schaller, S. K. Bhargava, B. Tabulo and K. Wilson, Energy Environ. Sci., 2022, 15, 1760 DOI: 10.1039/D1EE02363B

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements