Metal-Loaded Mesoporus Materials for Production of Dimethyl Carbonate

Relatively high yields of dimethylcarbonate (DMC) are obtained by reaction of carbon dioxide and methanol using ceria or zerconia-loaded mesoporous TUD-1 catalysts. Series of mesoporus TUD-1 catalysts loaded with different ratios of ceria, zirconia and mixture of these oxides were prepared directly by hydothermal methods. Catalyst samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Catalytic testing showed a better performace of TUD-1 loaded with mixed ceria and zirconia. However, relatively high DMC yields were obtained via introduction of dehydrating agents in the reaction mixture in addition to the catalyst