Abstract

Pickering Emulsion Enhanced Interfacial Catalysis Under Taylor Flow in a Microchannel Reactor

Yuchao Zhao, Professor, Yantai University

Stable Pickering emulsions were prepared by using the surface modified SiO2 nanoparticle as a stabilizer. The flow hydrodynamics of Pickering emulsion systems were systematically characterized in microchannels without adhesion and/or accumulation. Four flow patterns were observed under these operating conditions, where superficial velocity was the key factor affecting the flow patterns transition. The Pickering emulsion was employed to enhance the oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BNOH) catalyzed by Pd/SiO2 nanoparticles under Taylor flow in a microchannel reactor. Under the optimal operating conditions, the conversion of BNOH and the selectivity of benzaldehyde were found to be 86.53% and 99.79%, respectively. In addition, the interfacial transport-reaction mechanism in Pickering emulsions under Taylor flow in microchannels was proposed from the perspective of multiphase mass transfer. The study of Pickering emulsion enhanced interfacial catalysis under Taylor flow in a microchannel reactor can provide the significance for solving the remained challenges of multiphase catalytic reactions involving solid particles.