Effect of phosphate ion on the textural and catalytic activity of titania–silica mixed oxide

Phosphate-modified TiO₂-SiO₂ mixed oxide catalysts have been prepared by varying the method of preparation, source and concentration of phosphate ion. The prepared catalysts were compared for their catalytic activity/selectivity in nitration of toluene. The characterisation of the catalysts was performed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermal analysis (TG–DTA), nitrogen adsorption–desorption methods, surface acid strength measured by Hammett indicator method, surface acid sites measured by amine titration method, and phosphate content measured by UV–VIS spectrophotometry. The XRD patterns revealed that phosphate ion stabilises the anatase phase up to 1173 K activation. FT-IR results show that phosphate species strongly bound bidentately, and that both the internal weakly H-bonded hydroxyl groups and free hydroxyl groups are present on TiO₂–SiO₂ mixed oxide support. Surface area and surface acidity are found to increase with the increase in phosphate loading up to 7.5 wt.% and thereafter the values decrease drastically. However, average pore radius and total pore volume shows the reverse order. Phosphated samples prepared using H₃PO₄ as the source of phosphate ion exhibit higher acidity, and surface area but lower porosity than the samples prepared from (NH₄)₃PO₄, though both the samples contain the same amount of phosphate (7.5 wt.%). Similar results were also observed when varying the method of preparation. TiO₂–SiO₂ samples prepared at pH=3 exhibit higher acidity and surface area but lower porosity than the samples prepared at pH=7. The acid strength of 7.5P/TiO₂–SiO₂ (H) is found to be stronger than that of 100% concentrated H₂SO₄. The material modified with phosphate ion was found to be an efficient and selective catalyst for solvent-free mono-nitration of toluene. Selectivity to the para-product is correlated with the porosity of the material.