Synthesis and characterization of fly ash supported sulfated zirconia catalyst for benzylation reactions

Synthesis of highly active nano-crystalline, thermally stabilized solid acid catalyst has been reported by loading different weight fractions of sulfated zirconia on chemically activated fly ash through two step sol-gel technique. The catalysts were characterized using powder XRD, FT-IR, N₂-adsorption desorption study, CHNS elemental analysis, SEM-EDAX and their acidity were measured by pyridine adsorbed FTIR. Liquid phase benzylation of benzene and toluene with benzyl chloride was studied as test reaction for catalytic activity of SZF catalysts. A very high conversion of benzene (87%) and toluene (93%) were observed, which is attributed to significant amount of acid site on the catalyst surface. The FTIR study of the pyridine adsorbed samples reflects the presence of Brønsted as well as Lewis acid sites. The catalyst with 12 wt.% zirconia (SZF-12) was regenerated and reused up to four reaction cycles with equal efficiency as in the first run.     

固体酸表面B酸和L酸与果糖转化制乳酸甲酯产物分布

制备了γ-Al₂O₃、HZSM-5、SnOPO₄、SnZrOPO₄(1:1)、SO₄^2-/ZrO₂5种不同的固体酸催化剂,采用NH₃程序升温脱附、吡啶原位吸附红外对催化剂进行了表征。考察了固体酸催化果糖在甲醇中转化的催化性能,结果表明,果糖的转化率均高于98%,产物分布与固体酸表面L酸、B酸酸量具有显著的相关性,乳酸甲酯的收率随着L酸量的减少而降低,L酸催化剂γ-Al₂O₃催化,主产物只有乳酸甲酯,收率为24.4%。而L酸位和B酸位共存的固体酸,产物中有乳酸甲酯、乙酰丙酸甲酯,并且乙酰丙酸甲酯的收率随着B酸量的增多而升高。最后考察了典型L酸γ-Al₂O₃及B酸L酸共存的固体酸HZSM-5不同反应时间的产物分布,结合气相-质谱联用对产物定性分析,得出了果糖转化过程L酸位催化和B酸位催化的反应路径。     

铝对固体超强酸/介孔分子筛催化性能的促进作用

采用浆态直接浸渍-焙烧方法制备了铝促进的固体超强酸／介孔分子筛材料，并采用XRD、N2吸附、吡啶吸附IR、反应表征等方法对其结构及性能进行了表征。铝的引入有利于形成和稳定样品表面的B酸，有助于稳定表面硫物种，而样品的比表面和孔容随着铝的加入变化不大。添加适量的铝能够大大提高正丁烷异构化的催化活性。     

Surface characterization and catalytic activity of sulfated-hafnia promoted zirconia catalysts for n-butane isomerization

Sulfated-hafnia promoted zirconia containing various compositions of hafnia (1-10 wt.%) were prepared by precipitation method in an attempt to ultimately carry n-butane isomerization reaction. The catalyst samples were calcined under dry air flow at 600 °C. The structural and crystal changes were monitored by FTIR and XRD whereas the textural changes were estimated by low temperature N₂ adsorption. FTIR spectroscopy has been used to characterize the hydroxyl groups and to determine the concentration of Brönsted and Lewis acid sites from pyridine adsorption. The catalytic activity, stability and selectivity of the catalyst samples were tested for n-butane isomerization at 250 °C. The results reveal that the existence of a small content of hafnia increases the surface sulfate density, stabilizes the tetragonal phase of zirconia, increases the amount and strength of Brönsted acid sites and enhances the initial catalytic activity of the samples. Increasing hafnia content to 5 and 10 wt.% is accompanied with the formation of hafnia monoclinic phase which causes a drastic decrease in the amount of Brönsted acid sites and the initial activity of the catalyst. The isomerization of n-butane occurred through bimolecular pathway with the formation of iso-butane, propane and pentanes as primary products. In spite of the high activity of the samples, the catalyst deactivates rapidly during the first hour of the reaction due to coke formation, retreating the catalyst at 450 °C in the presence of dry air before the catalytic reaction lead to regeneration of the initial catalytic activity of the catalyst which implies that the coke formation is the main source for catalyst deactivation.     

Sulfated zirconia grafted on a mesoporous silica aerogel: Influence of the preparation parameters on textural, structural and catalytic properties

Silica supported sulfated zirconia catalysts were synthesized via a new method by grafting sulfated zirconia on the surface of a silica aerogel previously prepared. The main parameters studied in this work were the S/Zr, Zr/Si molar ratios and the support nature. The synthesized solids were characterized using XRD, N₂ physisorption at 77 K, TG-DTA/SM, sulfur chemical analysis and adsorption–desorption of pyridine followed by infrared spectroscopy. These solids were tested in the n-hexane isomerization reaction. Two types of mesopores were observed on the silica aerogel. This mesoporosity was affected depending on the preparation parameters.

The increase of the Zr/Si molar ratio induces the decrease of the size of zirconia particles deposed on the support. In this case, appreciable amounts of sulfur are retained with the presence of a relatively strong Brönsted and Lewis acid sites on the catalyst surface. A high density of Brönsted sites seems to be interesting in the n-hexane isomerization reaction.     

Hydroconversion of n-hexadecane with Pt-promoted monoclinic and/or tetragonal sulfated zirconia catalysts

A series of mixed Pt-promoted monoclinic and tetragonal sulfated zirconia catalysts were prepared and characterized. The catalysts contained 27–86% of the monoclinic phase. The zirconia samples were prepared by varying the speed of precipitation of the hydrous zirconia and the pH of the final solution. The hydrous zirconia was then calcined prior to promotion with Pt and sulfate. The catalysts were activated just prior to activity studies with n-hexadecane. This synthesis route and pretreatment produced mixed-phase catalysts which yielded comparable conversion and selectivity data to that of a purely tetragonal catalyst using optimum conditions. The data show that an active catalyst can be obtained with the monoclinic phase present and that addition of sulfate after development of the crystalline phases can yield an active catalyst.     

Preparation and properties of sulfated zirconia for hydrolysis of ethyl lactate

Sulfated zirconia catalysts are proposed for the reversible hydrolysis of ethyl lactate instead of liquid acids. Sulfated zirconia catalysts were prepared by precipitation-impregnation method. The zirconium hydroxide was produced from zirconium oxychloride by adding aqueous ammonia and then impregnated in sulfuric acid. The solid samples were obtained by filtration and evaporation of the mixtures, respectively. After the samples were calcined, the sulfated zirconia catalysts were prepared. The results showed that the catalyst prepared by evaporation has higher catalytic activity. The physicochemical characteristics of the sulfated zirconia catalysts were studied by thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed desorption of ammonia (NH₃-TPD) and N₂ adsorption-desorption, respectively. By the precipitation-impregnation-evaporation method, the optimal sulfated zirconia catalyst of tetragonal phase was prepared under liquid-solid ratio of 5ml/g, 1 mol/L of H₂SO₄ and calcination at 650 °C for 3 h. The conversion of the ethyl lactate was 87.8% in 3 h at 85 °C with the catalyst loading 2 wt% and initial molar ratio of water to ethyl lactate 20: 1.     

Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers synthesis from methanol and formaldehyde solution over one-pot synthesized spherical mesoporous sulfated zirconia

The synthesis of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers as an ideal diesel fuel additive is the current hot topic of modern petrochemical industry for their expedient properties in mitigating air pollutants emission during combustion. In this work, a series of spherical sulfated zirconia catalysts were prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal method assisted with surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The prepared sulfated zirconia catalysts were used to catalyze PODE_n synthesis from methanol and formaldehyde solution. Various characterization (XRD, BET, SEM, TGA, NH₃-TPD, FTIR, and Py-IR) were employed to elaborate the structure–activity relationship of the studied catalytic system. The results demonstrated that S/Zr molar ratio in precursor solution played an effective role on catalyst morphology and acidic properties, where the weak Brønsted acid sites and strong Lewis acid sites were favorable to the conversion of methanol and formation of long-chain PODE_n, respectively. The reaction parameters such as catalyst amount, molar ratio of FA/MeOH, reaction time, temperature and pressure were optimized. The speculated reaction pathway for PODE_n synthesis was proposed based on the synergy of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites, which suggested that Brønsted and Lewis acid sites might be advantageous to the activation of polyoxymethylene hemiformals [CH₃(OCH₂)_nOH] and methylene glycol (HOCH₂OH), respectively.     

n-Pentane isomerization over promoted SZ/MCM-41 catalysts

With metal sulfate as the precursor, the catalysts of sulfated zirconia on MCM-41, Al- and Ga-promoted sulfated zirconia on MCM-41 (named as SZ/MCM-41, ASZ/MCM-41 and GSZ/MCM-41, respectively) were prepared by direct dispersion in the as-synthesized MCM-41 materials, followed by thermal decomposition. The catalysts were characterized with various techniques such as XRD, FTIR, N₂ adsorption, NH₃-TPD, DRIFT, and TPR-MS. The ordered porous structure was still maintained in the catalysts. The addition of promoters helps to retard the phase transformation of ZrO₂ from tetragonal phase to monoclinic phase. Isomerization of n-pentane was investigated over the catalysts. In comparison to SZ/MCM-41, both promoted catalysts showed much improved catalytic activity and selectivity for isomerization of n-pentane. Moreover, the catalytical activities of both promoted catalysts for pentane isomerization remained steady over the period of 180 min while the activities of the unpromoted catalyst decreased in <120 min. Characterization of acidity showed no significant difference in strength distributions of the acid sites over the catalysts. The nature of acid sites in SZ/MCM-41 was affected by the presence of aluminum, but not affected by the presence of gallium. On the other hand, TPR study shows sulfur on GSZ/MCM-41 is much easier to reduce than SZ/MCM-41 and ASZ/MCM-41. The presence of gallium improved the redox capability provided by the sulfate ions in GSZ/MCM-41 catalyst. The causes for the promotion effects of Ga and Al are discussed.     

Mesostructured Sulfated Zirconia with High Catalytic Activity in n-Butane Isomerization

A mesostructured sulfated zirconia with a large surface area (189 m²/g) has been successfully prepared using a triblock copolymer as a structure-directing agent. The resulting material was characterized by XRD, TEM, nitrogen adsorption, FTIR and TG/DTA, which suggested that the mesostructured sulfated zirconia was tetragonal crystalline. Catalytic testing showed that the mesostructured sulfated zirconia was much more active than conventional sulfated zirconia for n-butane isomerization.     

Catalytic Behavior of Alumina-Promoted Sulfated Zirconia Supported on Mesoporous Silica in Butane Isomerization

Alumina-promoted sulfated zirconia was supported on mesoporous molecular sieves of pure-silica MCM-41 and SBA-15. The catalysts were prepared by direct impregnation of metal sulfate onto the as-synthesized MCM-41 and SBA-15 materials, followed by solid state dispersion and thermal decomposition. Measurements of XRD and nitrogen adsorption isotherms showed that the structures of resultant materials retain well-ordered pores, even with ZrO₂ loading as high as 50 wt%. The characterization results indicated that most of the promoted sulfated zirconia were well dispersed on the internal surface of the ordered mesopores. The catalytic behavior of the alumina-promoted sulfated zirconia supported on mesoporous silica was studied in n-butane isomerization. The supports of mesoporous structures led to high dispersion of sulfated zirconia in the meta-stable tetragonal phase, which was the catalytic active phase. The high performance of alumina-promoted catalysts was ascribed to the sulfur retention by alumina.     

Selective synthesis of p-xylene by alkylation of toluene with dimethyl carbonate over magnesium acetate-modified ZSM-5

以乙酸镁为前体,采用等体积浸渍法制备不同负载量的MgO/ZSM-5催化剂,在气相连续流动固定床反应器上对甲苯与碳酸二甲酯（DMC）择形烷基化合成对二甲苯进行了研究。采用XRD、NH₃-TPD、吡啶吸附红外和2,4-二甲基喹啉吸附红外等手段对催化剂进行了表征。结果表明：B酸中心是甲苯与DMC烷基化反应的活性中心;随着MgO负载量的增加,甲苯转化率下降,对二甲苯的选择性上升;当MgO负载量大于9%时,甲苯转化率和对二甲苯选择性基本保持不变。2,4-二甲基喹啉吸附红外表征结果表明,乙酸镁在改性过程中未进入ZSM-5孔道内,焙烧分解生成的MgO主要分布在分子筛的外表面,分子筛孔内酸位并未受到影响。随着MgO负载量的增加,催化剂外表面的B酸位数量下降,当负载量大于9%时,外表面的B酸位基本消失。     

Hydrolytic decomposition of dichlorodifluoromethane on modified zirconium oxide surfaces

The hydrolytic decomposition of dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12) on various modified zirconium oxide surfaces has been studied. The reaction was carried out under flow conditions at 500°C. Complete CFC-12 conversion and long-time stability of the catalysts were achieved accompanied by a limitation of the undesired CFC-13 formation. A maximum CFC-12 conversion was observed on catalysts of sulfated zirconia or zirconia obtained from temperature-controlled calcination of zirconium oxide hydrate. The reaction depends on the presence or in situ formation of Brønsted acid sites. FTIR-photoacoustic measurements were performed on pyridine complexes chemisorbed on the catalyst surface in order to analyze the changes in the catalyst's acidity. The effects of the temperature and water in the reaction gas on the catalyzed decomposition of CFC-12 are examined.     

Catalyst decomposition during temperature programmed desorption of bases from promoted sulfated zirconias

Results from temperature programmed desorption of ammonia, pyridine, and benzene from sulfated zirconia catalysts promoted with Fe, Mn, and Ni are compared. Without adsorbates, catalysts are thermally stable below 900 K. With adsorbates, catalysts decompose partially or completely between 700 and 900 K. It is shown that previously reported conclusions regarding acid strength distributions for promoted sulfated zirconia catalysts that were based on the results of ammonia and benzene thermal desorption studies are likely incorrect because the decomposition of adsorbates and the catalyst were not considered.     

Iron oxide supported sulfated TiO2 nanotube catalysts for NO reduction with propane

Sulfated TiO₂ nanotubes and a series of iron oxide loaded sulfated TiO₂ nanotubes catalysts with different iron oxide loadings (1 wt%, 3 wt%, 5 wt% and 7 wt%) were prepared and calcined at 400 °C. The physico-chemical properties of the catalysts were studied by using XRD, N₂-physisorption, Raman spectroscopy, SEM-EDX, TEM, XPS, and pyridine adsorption using FTIR and H₂-TPR techniques. It was observed that iron oxide was highly dispersed on the sulfated TiO₂ nanotube support due to its strong interaction. The activity of these catalysts in the catalytic removal of NO with propane was also studied in the temperature range of 300–500 °C. Highest activity (90% NO conversion) was observed with 5 wt% iron oxide supported on sulfated TiO₂ catalyst at 450 °C. Selective catalytic reduction of NO activity of the catalysts was correlated with iron oxide loading, reducibility, and the Brönsted and Lewis acid sites of the catalysts. The catalyst also showed good stability under studied reaction conditions that no deactivation was observed during the 50 h of reaction.     

Ni-V负载酸改性焙烧高岭土的制备、表征及光催化性能

高岭土在773 K焙烧,经H2SO4溶液处理后作为载体,在不同n(Ni2+)∶n(V5+)溶液中浸渍制备了Ni-V负载酸改性焙烧高岭土样品,并利用X射线衍射(XRD)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、吡啶吸附FTIR(Py-FTIR)和紫外-可见光漫反射光谱(UV-Vis)对样品进行了表征。在高压汞灯下,以甲醇(CH3OH)常压转化制二甲醚(CH3OCH3)为模型反应,评价了Ni-V负载样品的光催化活性。结果表明,所制备催化剂对CH3OH的光催化转化有活性。当处理焙烧高岭土的酸溶液中H2SO4质量分数为40%、浸渍液n(Ni2+)∶n(V5+)=2∶8、样品焙烧温度为773 K时,催化剂样品对CH3OH转化反应活性最高,CH3OH转化率为30.5%,CH3OCH3选择性为76.2%。样品Ni-V的协同作用和表面酸性是促进CH3OH光催化转化制备CH3OCH3反应活性的重要影响因素。     

Characterization and selective poisoning of acid sites on sulfated zirconia

Microcalorimetric measurements and infrared spectroscopy of ammonia adsorption were used to characterize the acidic properties of sulfated zirconia catalysts. Reaction kinetic measurements forn-butane isomerization were conducted over catalysts that were selectively poisoned with controlled amounts of ammonia. Initial heats of ammonia adsorption on the strong acid sites of sulfated zirconia were 150–165 kJ/mol, and these sites contain Brønsted acid and possibly Lewis acid centers. Sulfated zirconia samples that show high activity for the isomerization ofn-butane possess Bransted acid sites of intermediate strength, with differential heats of ammonia adsorption between 125 and 140 kJ/mol. The results of selective poisoning of sulfated zirconia with ammonia confirm that Bransted acid sites of intermediate strength are active forn-butane isomerization at 423 K while not discounting a possible role of the stronger acid sites.     

Ordered mesoporous sulfated silica-zirconia materials with high zirconium contents in the structure

A series of mesoporous sulfated silica-zirconia materials with various Si/Zr molar ratios (2.0–5.0) have been prepared using tri-block copolymer as a template, which were characterized by X-ray diffraction, TEM, nitrogen adsorption, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and catalytic reactions. XRD patterns displayed that ordered mesoporous sulfated silica-zirconia materials were obtained when the molar ratio of Si/Zr was not less than 4.0 (ZrSiS-4 and ZrSiS-5). When the molar ratio of Si/Zr was less than 4.0, the samples had a separated phase of amorphous sulfated zirconia (ZrSiS-2 and ZrSiS-3). Furthermore, TEM images (ZrSiS-4 and ZrSiS-5) revealed that the mesostructure of these materials were highly ordered. N₂ adsorption (ZrSiS-4 and ZrSiS-5) exhibited typical IV adsorption isotherms and uniform pore distribution. UV-Vis reflectance and IR spectra suggested (ZrSiS-4 and ZrSiS-5) that Zr atoms were incorporated into the walls of mesoporous silica. Cracking reactions of cumene and 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene (TIPB) showed that, the ordered mesoporous sulfated silica-zirconia materials were very active in acidic catalytic reactions, especially for the cracking of large molecules.     

Liquid phase alkylation of anisole by benzyl alcohol catalyzed on alumina-supported niobia

The catalytic activity of Nb₂O₅, Al₂O₃ and alumina-supported niobia were evaluated in the alkylation reaction of anisole with benzyl alcohol in liquid phase. Alumina exhibited low activity and poor selectivity for alkylates. In contrast, high activities and selectivities to alkylated products were obtained with the niobia and niobia-alumina. The latter could be re-used after drying at 773 K. The catalysts were characterized by conventional techniques such as XRD, FTIR of adsorbed pyridine and nitrogen physisorption. Alumina presents only Lewis acidity, nevertheless niobium based catalysts present Brønsted and Lewis acid sites. The acidity trends are compatible with the activity patterns.     

磺酸化碳材料负载Ru催化剂催化纤维素水解/加氢反应

采用纤维素衍生碳、活性炭和介孔碳材料CMK-3为不同碳源前驱体,在不同磺酸化条件下制备磺酸化碳材料负载Ru的双功能催化剂,并用FTIR光谱、XRD、元素分析、热重分析、N₂物理吸附 脱附进行了表征,考察了其对纤维素加氢反应的催化活性。结果表明：相比于纤维素衍生化碳,活性炭和介孔碳CMK-3为碳源经过磺酸化后制备的催化剂具有较强的结合-SO₃H的能力和较高的催化活性,对多元醇具有良好的选择性,170 ℃下反应10 h六元醇的收率可高达84.0%。在循环使用时,磺酸化活性炭负载Ru催化剂催化活性有所降低,但可以保持对多元醇的选择性;而磺酸化介孔碳负载Ru催化剂存在少量S流失,转化率基本不变,但产物的选择性有所降低。