Catalyst

Catalyst

Precious metal catalysts are used to improve reactivity in organic chemical reactions, and consist of metals such as palladium or rhodium dispersed on supports with high porosity. Amongst the different supports commonly used, activated carbons are ideally suited due to their large surface area, heat resistance and chemical resistance.

Support Features
Activated carbon
  • Large surface area:800~2000m2/g
  • Heat resistance, Acid and alkali resistance
Alumina
  • Surface area:100~300m2/g
  • α・γ・η types often used as supports
  • Reasonnable price
  • Heat resistance, alkali resistance
Silica
  • Surface area:200~600m2/g
Zeolites
  • Surface area:350~900m2/g
  • A・X・Y types, Mordenite, Erionite, ZSM-5 often used as carriers
  • Pore size depends on zeolite type
Titania
  • Surface area:40~100m2/g
Magnesia
  • Surface area:50~200m2/g
  • Basic
  • Stongly adsorbs CO2 and moisture

Specific requirements for using activated carbon as catalyst

  1. Control of surface area and porosity
    →Can be adjusted by changing activation conditions
  2. Reduction of impurities such as sulphur or metallic content
    →Can be adjusted by selection of raw material or optimization of washing
  3. Granularity adapted to the type of reaction
    →Can be adjusted to specific application by adjusting particle size distribution of powders or pellets

Main grades

FAC-10
Highly purified powder type. High filtration rate and low attition loss as a result of narrow particle size distribution. Used as catalyst support.
C2c
Highly purified granular type. Used as catalyst and catalyst support in fluidized and fixed beds.
C2x
Highly purified pellet type. Used as catalyst and catalyst support in fixed beds.