Hollow ZSM-5 encapsulated with single Ga-atoms for the catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass waste

The development of efficient metal-zeolite bifunctional catalysts for catalytic fast pyrolysis(CFP) of biomass waste is highly desirable for bioenergy and renewable biofuel production.However,conventional metal-loaded zeolites often suffer from metal sintering during pyrolysis and are thus inactivated.In this study,single-site Ga-functionalized hollow ZSM-5(GaO_x@HS-Z5) was synthesized via an impregnationdissolution-recrystallization strategy without H_(2) reduction.The Ga atom was coordinated to four oxygen atoms in HS-Z5 frameworks.Benefitting from the highly dispersed single-Ga atoms and hollow zeolite framework,3GaO_x@HS-Z5 performed the best in producing hydrocarbon-rich bio-oil compared to impregnated 3GaO_x/HS-Z5 and H_(2)-reduced 3Ga@HS-Z5 in the maize straw CFP.In particular,3GaO_x@HS-Z5 delivered the highest bio-oil yield(23.6 wt%) and hydrocarbon selectivity(49.4 area%).3GaO_x@HS-Z5 also retained its structural integrity and catalytic activity after five pyrolysis-regeneration cycles,demonstrating its advantage in practical biomass CFP.The elimination of H_(2) reduction during the synthesis of catalyst provides an additional advantage for simplifying the CFP process and reducing operating costs.The retained Ga micro-environment and anti-sintering properties were unique for 3GaO_x@HS-Z5,as severe metal sintering occurred during pyrolysis for other metals(e.g.,NiO_x,ZnO_x,FeO_x,and CoO_x) that encapsulated HS-Z5.