Acid properties of SBA-15 and sol-gel ZrO2 modified using phosphate ions that it possesses only one-fifth the

ses only one-fifth the specific surface area of the SBA-15 catalysts.

José I. Martínez-Martínez1, Karina Cruz-Rodríguez1, Brent E. Handy1, Ricardo García-

Alamilla2
1
Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, San Luis Potosí,
SLP 78210 (México)
2
Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Madero, División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación,
Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, 89440, México
*handy@uaslp.mx

Introduction
A recent effort in catalysis is to consider production of existing petrochemical
products and alternative fuels from non-petroleum feedstocks. Zirconium oxide (ZrO2) has Figure 1. XRD patterns of a) SBA-15 samples, b) ZrO2 samples
been widely studied because of its catalytic behavior for converting organic molecules (i.e.,
alcohol dehydration) to obtain high value-added compounds and ethers as alternative fuels [1- More comparative reaction studies are in progress to confirm these results at the same reaction
3]. Used in combination with SBA-15, the ZrO2-SBA system can promote the development of temperatures. Nevertheless, the utility of phosphate incorporation is clearly demonstrated and
particular acid sites tailored for a specific reaction. The acidic properties of these materials can should in general apply to other organic oxygenated molecules. Important catalytic steps to
be improved by incorporating some dopants or impurities on the specific surface [4]. In this facilitate hydrogenation in certain hydrodeoxygenation reactions are promoted by enhanced
work, phosphate ions from phosphoric acid and diammonium hydrogenphosphate were used to acidity [7].
improve the catalytic properties of both ZrO2 and SBA-15, providing similar acid properties as Table 1. Textural and acid properties of the synthesized catalysts.
could formerly only be attained using expensive elements (Pd, Pt). Catalysts prepared here Reaction Maximun Specific
Conversion
have potential for use in phenol hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) reactions, to be used in Sample Temperature Acid Strength Surface
(%)
conjunction with phenolic compounds that arrise from lignocellulosic transformation (°C) (mV) (m2/g)
processes. SG ZrO2 360 43 -140 10
P/ZrO2 360 100 230 170
Materials and Methods SBA-15 180 0 -9 795
ZrO2 materials were prepared via sol-gel method using zirconium butoxide, 2- Z/SBA-15 180 21 113 875
propanol, and distilled water. The dried powder obtained was calcined at 600 °C for 3 h (SG- PZ/SBA15 180 23 163 800
ZrO2). PO43– ions were incorporated by adding the appropriate amount of H3PO4 solution and
subsequent calcination at 600 °C for 3 h. SBA-15 catalysts were prepared using a previously Significance
reported procedure [5], as well as the steps for zirconia and phosphate incorporation into SBA- Acid properties of all synthesized catalysts were improved by adding phosphate ions. The
15 [6], in brief, an amount of ZrOCl2·8H2O was added to achieve 1 mol % Zr per mol silica results of this work indicate that modified Zr/SBA catalysts have many possibilities to obtain
(sample designated Z/SBA-15). For the phosphorus-containing catalyst, a portion of the good performance in transforming organic oxygenated molecules.
Z/ZBA-15 sample was mixed with a solution of ((NH4)2HPO4) to obtain 9 mol% P per mol
silica (sample designated PZ/SBA15). Textural and structural properties were characterized by References
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