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Radical-constructed intergrown titanosilicalite interfaces for efficient direct propene epoxidation with H2 and O2

Author

Listed:
  • Dong Lin

    (China University of Petroleum
    Cardiff University)

  • Xiang Feng

    (China University of Petroleum)

  • Yang Xu

    (China University of Petroleum)

  • Richard J. Lewis

    (Cardiff University)

  • Xiao Chen

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Thomas E. Davies

    (Cardiff University)

  • Samuel Pattisson

    (Cardiff University)

  • Mark Douthwaite

    (Cardiff University)

  • Defu Yin

    (China University of Petroleum)

  • Qiuming He

    (China University of Petroleum)

  • Xiuhui Zheng

    (China University of Petroleum)

  • De Chen

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

  • Chaohe Yang

    (China University of Petroleum)

  • Graham J. Hutchings

    (Cardiff University)

Abstract

The development of titianosilicates is considered a major milestone in oxidative catalysis due to the ability of framework Ti sites to co-ordinate hydrogen peroxide/peroxy species. Herein, we demonstrate that interfacial Ti sites can be constructed through the vertical intergrowth of two MFI-type zeolite surfaces along [100] and [010] projections, with the assistance of UV-induced hydroxyl radicals. The application of these intergrown titanosilicalites as supports for Au species are observed to simultaneously offer a 2.1-fold and 3.0-fold increase in propene oxide (PO) formation rate and Au efficiency, respectively, when compared to standard Au/TS-1 catalysts. Mechanistic studies reveal that the intergrown interface Ti sites allow for lower-energy epoxidation pathways with more efficient activation of key oxygen-transfer intermediates. These results provide insights into the development of zeolite intergrown interface sites (e.g., titanosilicalite/silicalite-1/ZSM-5) and may allow for further advancements in the epoxidation of a range of key feedstocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Dong Lin & Xiang Feng & Yang Xu & Richard J. Lewis & Xiao Chen & Thomas E. Davies & Samuel Pattisson & Mark Douthwaite & Defu Yin & Qiuming He & Xiuhui Zheng & De Chen & Chaohe Yang & Graham J. Hutchi, 2025. "Radical-constructed intergrown titanosilicalite interfaces for efficient direct propene epoxidation with H2 and O2," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60637-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60637-0
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