Supported Ni-Cu-Mo Catalyst for Polyether Amine Synthesis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for synthesizing polyether amine require multiple steps, produce harmful by-products, and are costly due to the use of precious metals, leading to inefficient and selective processes, especially for small molecular weight polyether amine production.

Innovation Solution

A supported catalyst comprising Ni, Cu, and Mo active components with CeO2 as a cocatalyst, supported on carriers like γ-alumina or magnesium-aluminum composite oxide, enhances amination efficiency and selectivity while reducing costs and maintaining mild reaction conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If precious metal catalysts are used for polyether amine synthesis, then catalytic activity is improved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive precious metal catalysts with a cheaper nickel-based catalyst system that can be easily prepared and used. The catalyst comprises NiO (1-15 wt%), CuO (1-10 wt%), and MoO3 (0.1-5 wt%) supported on alumina, providing effective catalytic activity at a fraction of the cost of precious metal alternatives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite catalyst system combining multiple metal oxides (NiO, CuO, MoO3) on an alumina support. This composite structure synergistically enhances catalytic activity and selectivity while maintaining cost-effectiveness, achieving performance comparable to or exceeding precious metal catalysts without the associated high costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If multi-step synthesis methods are used for polyether amine production, then reaction selectivity is improved, but process complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction selectivityVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple reaction steps into a single integrated catalytic process. The multi-component catalyst system (NiO-CuO-MoO3/Al2O3) simultaneously performs dehydrogenation, imine formation, and hydrogenation reduction in one step, achieving high selectivity (>98%) while dramatically simplifying the overall process compared to traditional multi-step methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catalyst system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: NiO provides dehydrogenation activity, CuO facilitates imine formation, and MoO3 enhances hydrogenation. This multi-functional catalyst achieves the selectivity of multiple sequential reactions while operating as a single integrated process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If traditional catalysts are used for small molecular weight polyether amine synthesis, then production is possible, but reaction activity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolyether amine productionVSAvoidreaction activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes catalyst parameters including metal oxide ratios, support surface area (150-300 m²/g), and pore structure to enhance reaction activity. The specific composition ranges (NiO: 1-15 wt%, CuO: 1-10 wt%, MoO3: 0.1-5 wt%) are tuned to maximize catalytic performance for small molecular weight polyether amine synthesis, achieving high conversion rates and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs porous alumina support with controlled surface area and pore structure to enhance catalyst activity. The high surface area (150-300 m²/g) and appropriate pore size distribution facilitate reactant access to active sites and improve mass transfer, significantly enhancing reaction activity for small molecular weight substrates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The catalyst achieves high conversion rates (>95%) and selectivity (>98%) for polyether amine synthesis with a narrow molecular weight distribution and reduced color, suitable for both high and low molecular weight polyether amine production, without using precious metals.

Implementation Method 1

under the action of a catalyst, the polyether polyol, liquid ammonia and hydrogen are introduced, and then the polyether amine is prepared by means of one-step reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

performs dehydrogenation under the action of the catalyst, then forms an imine intermediate by reacting with ammonia, and finally performs hydrogen reduction on the imine intermediate into the amino

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDehydrogenation:

Implementation Method 3

performs hydrogen reduction on the imine intermediate into the amino

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 4

the specific surface area of the magnesium-aluminum composite oxide is 150-230 m2/g

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS12030989B2Supported catalyst used for synthesizing polyether amine, preparation method, and application
Publication Date: 2024.07.09 ZHEJIANG HUANGMA TECH CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are to a supported catalyst used for synthesizing polyether amine, and a preparation method and use thereof. The supported catalyst introduces Mo and CeO2 into Ni and Cu active components. By means of the cooperation of Ni, Cu and Mo, CeO2 and Ni form more active sites, such that the supported catalyst can have high reaction activity and selectivity. By using the supported catalyst to synthesize polyether amine, the amination efficiency and selectivity of polyether polyol can be greatly enhanced, thereby preparing the polyether amine with light color and narrow molecular weight distribution. In addition, the cost of the catalyst can be reduced, a process condition is relatively mild, and the disadvantage of low reaction activity of a nickel-based catalyst in synthesizing small molecule polyether amine can be overcome, such that the supported catalyst has a desirable industrial application prospect.