Advanced Zeolite –g-C₃N₄ Composite Catalysts: A Solar Photocatalytic Approach for Selective C –H Bond Activation in Petrochemical Processes

As the petrochemical industry faces growing pressure to reduce energy use and environmental impact, there’s a real need for smarter, more sustainable catalysts. In this study, we developed a photocatalyst by combining hierarchical ZSM-۵ zeolite with graphitic carbon nitride(g-C₃N₄), aiming to use solar energy for selective C –H bond activation in petrochemical compounds. The composite was prepared by embedding g-C₃N₄ nanosheets into the porous structure of zeolite, leading to a noticeable increase in surface area and improved light absorption. Structural analysis using XRD and TEM confirmed that the materials were well integrated, and UV–Vis spectroscopy showed that the composite absorbed visible light effectively, reaching wavelengths around ۴۵۰ nm. We tested the catalyst with aromatic substrates like benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene in aqueous systems under natural sunlight. The results were encouraging: conversion rates were generally above ۷۰%, with good selectivity for the target monofunctionalized products. When tested alone, neither g-C₃N₄ nor the zeolite performed nearly as well. Importantly, the catalyst remained stable across several reaction cycles, showing minimal loss of activity. To understand why the system worked so efficiently, we ran DFT calculations, which revealed that the composite structure lowers the energy barrier for C –H bond activation and improves charge transfer dynamics under light exposure. From an application standpoint, this approach has the potential to lower process costs by reducing reliance on external energy sources and chemical reagents. Overall, the zeolite–g–C₃N₄ composite offers a promising, more sustainable pathway for future petrochemical upgrading technologies driven by solar energy.

کلیدواژه ها:

Zeolite –g-C₃N₄ Composite ، C –H Bond Activation ، Solar-Driven Petrochemical Upgrading ، Sustainable Catalysis