Characterization and catalytic performance of sol–gel derived Cu/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts for hydrogenolysis of diethyl oxalate to ethylene glycol

A series of Cu/SiO₂ catalysts with copper loadings ranging from 17.8 to 42.2 wt% were prepared by the sol–gel method and evaluated for the hydrogenolysis of diethyl oxalate to ethylene glycol. The physicochemical properties of these catalysts were systematically characterized by means of different techniques. It is found that copper loadings have great influence on the catalytic performance; the catalyst with a copper loading of 37.8 wt% exhibited the best activity and ethyl glycol selectivity. The sol–gel derived catalyst was superior in catalytic performance to the catalyst prepared by the deposition precipitation method, a result due to the presence of finely dispersed copper phyllosilicate.     

Synthesis and colour properties of pigments based on terbium-dopped Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>SnO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The main aim of this work was to synthesize the magnesium orthostannate doped by terbium cations and tested whether these materials can be used for colouring of the different materials, e.g. organic binder and ceramic glazes. Initial composition of pigments was counted according the general formula 2MgO(1 − x)SnO₂–xTbO₂, where values of x varied from 0.1 to 0.5 in 0.1 steps. The simultaneous TG/DTA measurements of mixture containing tin oxide, magnesium carbonate hydroxide and terbium oxide showed that the formation of a new compound started at temperature 1,029 °C, but single-phase system was not prepared. Granulometric compositions of samples that were prepared by calcining at temperatures 1,300–1,400 °C are characterized by values of median (d ₅₀) in range 4–8 μm. The calcining temperature 1,500 °C caused the increase of the particle sizes at around 12 μm. The composition of sample 2MgO–1.5SnO₂–0.5TbO₂ and heating temperature 1,500 °C are the most suitable conditions for preparation of colourfully interesting pigment that can be recommended also for colouring of ceramic glazes. Especially, for colouring of decorative lead containing glaze G 07091 containing 5 wt% of PbO and 8 wt% of Al₂O₃.     

The effect of the carrier nature and the method of preparation of oxide catalysts containing indium on their activity in the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen monoxide with C<Subscript>1</Subscript>-C<Subscript>4</Subscript> hydrocarbons

The activity of samples containing indium in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with C₁-C₄ hydrocarbons depends on nature of the carrier, Al₂O₃, ZrO₂, the quantity of indium oxide, and the method of its introduction. The most active catalysts (2.5–5.0% In₂O₃/Al₂O₃) are stable to water and are characterized by a large overall concentration of oxide centers. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 107–111, March–April, 2007.     

Influence of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and SO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on the activity of deposited cobalt oxide catalysts in the processes of reduction of nitrogen(I), (II) oxides with carbon monoxide and C<Subscript>3</Subscript>-C<Subscript>4</Subscript> alkanes

It is shown that palladium–cobalt oxide–cerium catalyst deposited on cordierite catalyzes the reduction of nitrogen(II) oxide with carbon monoxide, and cobalt–iron catalysts in simultaneous reduction of NO + N₂O with C₃-C₄ alkanes retained high activity in the presence of water vapor and sulfur dioxide. The Pd-Co₃O₄/cordierite catalyst exceeds the Pt-Co₃O₄/codierite catalyst in the conversion of NO and CO in the reaction mixture CO + NO + O₂ + H₂O + SO₂. Modification of the Pd-Co₃O₄/cordierite with cerium oxide considerably increases its sulfur resistance.     

Synthesis of CeVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> Crystals with Different Sizes and Shapes

Tetragonal CeVO₄ was prepared through hydrothermal treatment and sonication method with the same precursor in the absence of any catalysts or templates, and the products were characterized by XRD, TEM and Raman. It is found that microrods, nanoparticles, nanorods and nanoplates have been obtained. The bigger nanorods produced through hydrothermal treatment have average diameters of 15–25 nm and lengths of 20–60 nm. The smaller nanorods prepared through ultrasound treatment have average diameters of 6–12 nm and lengths of 10–18 nm. Uniform nanoplates have been produced. The nanoplates produced through hydrothermal method are composed of CeVO₄ and CeO₂. The mechanism of shape changing has been discussed. And the existing vanadium which is sensitive to the pH value of synthesis solution may be a key factor for the resulted sizes and shapes of the obtained nanocrystals. The samples prepared through hydrothermal treatment and sonication method were used as the catalysts for the combustion of trichloroethylene to test their catalytic activity.     

Volcano correlations for the reactivity of surface-confined cobalt N<Subscript>4</Subscript>-macrocyclics for the electrocatalytic oxidation of 2-mercaptoacetate

We have investigated the electrocatalytic activity of several substituted and unsubstituted cobalt–phthalocyanines of substituted tetraphenyl porphyrins and of vitamin B₁₂, for the electro-oxidation of 2-mercaptoacetate, with the complexes pre-adsorbed on a pyrolytic graphite electrode. Several N4-macrocyclic were used to have a wide variety of Co(II)/(I) formal potentials. The electrocatalytic activity, measured as current at constant potential, increases with the Co(II)/(I) redox potential for porphyrins as Co–pentafluorotetraphenylporphyrin < Co–tetrasulfonatotetraphenylporphyrin < Co-2,2′,2″,2‴tetra-aminotetraphenylporphyrin and decreases for cobalt phthalocyanines as Co-3,4-octaethylhexyloxyphthalocyanine > Co–octamethoxyphthalocyanine > Co–tetranitrophthalocyanine Co–tetraaminophthalocyanine > Co–unsubstituted phthalocyanine > Co–tetrasulfonatophthalocyanine > Co–perfluorinated phthalocyanine. Vitamin B₁₂ exhibits the maximum activity. A correlation of log I (at constant potential) versus the Co(II)/(I) formal potential of the catalysts gives a volcano curve. This clearly shows that the search for better catalysts for this reaction point to those N₄-macrocyclic complexes with Co(II)/(I) formal potentials close to −0.84 V versus SCE, which correspond to an optimum situation for the interaction of the thiol with the active site. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Teresa Iwasita on the occasion of her 65th birthday in recognition of her numerous contributions to interfacial electrochemistry.     

Reduction of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and NO over H-ZSM-5- and ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-supported iron- and cobalt-containing catalysts

The combined conversion conditions were examined for the reactions of decomposition and reduction of N₂O and NO with C₁,C₃–C₄ hydrocarbons, in particular, in gas mixtures containing oxygen and sulfur dioxide, over Fe- and Co-containing catalysts supported on zeolites and zirconia, as well as on structured honeycomb monoliths.     

Effect of structural,redox and acid characteristics of M<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>y</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>) (M-Mn,Co, Cr) oxide nanocomposites on their catalytic properties in the deep oxidation of methane

Alumina-and zirconia-manganese catalysts for the deep oxidation of methane were studied by X-ray phase analysis, temperature-programmed hydrogen reduction, and IR spectroscopy. The most active catalyst has the optimal combination of dimensional, redox, and acid characteristics. The zirconia-manganese catalysts formed on the surface of a kaolin-aerosil honeycomb matrix provides for 80–100% conversion of methane to CO₂ at 690–750 °C. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 43, No. 6, pp. 367–372, November–December, 2007.     

Influence of the composition of carriers based on ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> on the properties of cobalt-containing catalysts on the selective reduction of NO with methane

A series of cobalt-containing granulated and structured catalysts based on zirconium and aluminum oxides has been studied. The optimum composition of binary oxide samples (80% ZrO₂ − 20% Al₂O₃) for the selective reduction of nitrogen monoxide with methane (84% conversion of NO achieved at 320 °C) has been determined. The activity of the structured catalysts depends on both the composition of the secondary carrier (ZrO₂, Al₂O₃, and their mixture) and on the nature of the skeleton of the cellular structure (cordierite, kaolin-aerosil). __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 43, No. 4, pp. 237–241, July–August, 2007.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> submicron-belts synthesized by a sol–gel H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> route

One-dimensional (1D) submicron-belts of V₂O₅ have been prepared by a sol–gel route using V₂O_5, H₂O₂ and aniline as starting materials. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the samples. Electrochemical behaviors as cathode material in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries were investigated by galvanostatic charge–discharge measurement and cyclic voltammeter. The results showed that the synthesized V₂O₅ appeared to be submicron-belts and orthorhombic structure. The V₂O₅ submicron-belts exhibited a high initial discharge capacity of 346 mAh/g and stayed 240 mAh/g after 20 cycles at 0.1 C discharge rate in the potential region 1.8–4.0 V.     

Effect of the alkoxides addition order on the properties of Pd/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts used for methane combustion

A series of Pd/Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ catalysts were prepared to be used in methane oxidation. The effect of the addition order of metal alkoxides on the texture, structure and catalytic properties of the solids is studied. The control of the preparation parameters is achieved via sol gel way as an attractive route of the preparation of these catalysts. N₂ physisorption, XRD, Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) and H₂ chemisorption are the main techniques used to characterize the prepared Pd/Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ catalysts. Textural analysis reveals the mesoporosity of all the catalysts independently of the addition order of alkoxides while surface area is more pronounced when the aluminium alkoxide is added before or with the zirconium precursor. XRD patterns show the development of the zirconia tetragonal phase for all the catalysts. Better metallic dispersion is obtained when aluminium alkoxide is added first which can be justified by the high homogeneity observed on the corresponding catalyst as revealed by SEM technique.     

Properties of the surface layer and catalytic activity of Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> with Pt or Pd additives in the oxidation of hydrogen

The catalytic activity in the oxidation of hydrogen (in the gaseous state in the presence of excess oxygen) has been studied for samples of Pt(Pd)/Ta₂O_5−x, formed by reduction with hydrogen. The samples obtained had greater activity than the traditional catalysts Pt(Pd)/Al₂O₃. According to X-ray diffraction analysis and electron microscopic studies, Ta₂O_5−x becomes amorphous with the formation of more reduced non-stoichiometric oxygen-deficient tantalum oxides with a surface layer of catalyst. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 180–185, May–June, 2008.     

Synthesis characterization and catalytic evaluation of Ni/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> aerogels catalysts

The Ni/ZrO₂/SiO₂ aerogels catalysts were synthesized via three different routes: (i) impregnation ZrO₂–SiO₂ composite aerogels with a aqueous solution of Ni(NO₃)₂, (ii) impregnation SiO₂ aerogels with a mixed aqueous solution of Ni(NO₃)₂ and ZrO(NO₃)₂ · 2H₂O, (iii) one-pot sol–gel procedure from precursors Ni(NO₃)₂/ZrO(NO₃)₂ · 2H₂O/Si(OC₂H₅)₄. These catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD), N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The Liquid-phase hydrogenation of maleic anhydride (MA) was performed over these catalysts. The results revealed that the different preparation routes result in a difference between the obtained samples, concerning the crystal structure and composition, surface acidity, mixed level of each component, texture, and catalytic selectivity.     

Ru/Ni/MgAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> catalysts for steam reforming of methane: effects of Ru content on self-activation property

The effects of Ru on the self-reducibility of Ru-doped Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalysts, which do not need pre-reduction treatment with H₂, were investigated in the steam reforming of methane (SRM). The Ru-promoted Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalysts with various amounts of Ru (0–0.5 wt%) were prepared by stepwise impregnation and co-impregnation methods using hydrotalcite-like MgAl₂O₄ support. For comparison, Ru/MgAl₂O₄ catalysts with the same amount of Ru were also prepared by the impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by the N₂-sorption, XRD, H₂-TPR, H₂-chemisorption, and XPS methods. Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalyst in the presence of even the trace amount of Ru (Ru content ≥0.05 wt%) showed higher conversion without pre-reduction as compared to Ru/MgAl₂O₄ catalysts in SRM under the same conditions. The self-activation of Ru–Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalysts is mainly attributed to the spillover of hydrogen, which is produced on Ru at first and then reduces NiO species under reaction conditions. Besides, Ru doping makes the reduction of NiO easier. The stepwise impregnated Ru/Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalyst produced superior performance as compared to co-impregnated Ru–Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalyst for SRM.     

Thermal and structural investigation of SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> obtained by the polymeric precursor method

SnO₂-based materials are used as sensors, catalysts and in electro–optical devices. This work aims to synthesize and characterize the SnO₂/Sb₂O₃-based inorganic pigments, obtained by the polymeric precursor method, also known as Pechini method (based on the metallic citrate polymerization by means of ethylene glycol). The precursors were characterized by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). After characterization, the precursors were heat-treated at different temperatures and characterized by X-ray diffraction. According to the TG/DTA curves basically two-step mass loss process was observed: the first one is related to the dehydration of the system; and the second one is representative to the combustion of the organic matter. Increase of the heat treatment temperature from 500 to 600°C and 700°C resulted higher crystallinity of the formed product.     

Oxidative conversion of methane and methanol on M/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/cordierite structured metal oxide catalysts (m = Ni,Cu, Zn)

A study was carried out on the properties of Ni/Al₂O₃ and Cu-ZnO/Al₂O₃ composites supported on ceramic honeycomb monoliths made from synthetic cordierite in the carbon dioxide conversion of methane and the partial oxidation of methanol. The structured nickel-alumina catalysts are significantly more efficient than the conventional granulated catalysts. The improved working stability of these catalysts was achieved by adjusting the acid-base properties of the surface by introducing sodium and potassium oxides, which leads to inhibition of surface carbonization. The hydrogen yield was close to 90% in the partial oxidation of methanol with a stoichiometric reagent ratio in the presence of the Cu-ZnO/Al₂O₃/cordierite catalyst. A synergistic effect was found, reducing the selectivity of CO formation in the presence of the Cu-ZnO catalyst relative to samples derived from the individual components Cu and ZnO. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 299–306, September–October, 2007.     

Synthesis and characterization of Fe doped mesoporous Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> by sol–gel method and its use in trichloroethylene combustion

Two mesoporous alumina samples were synthesized using the sol–gel method, and these samples were tested as catalysts in trichloroethylene combustion reaction. One alumina sample was doped with Fe to study the influence of a small amount of this agent on the characteristics and properties of alumina as a catalyst. Both catalysts (pure alumina and alumina doped with Fe) were thoroughly characterized by different techniques, such as DTA/TGA, FT-IR, XRD, SEM and TEM, and the porous characterization was conducted using a N₂ physisorption technique. The doping agent presented a particular influence on the morphology and textural porosity in the alumina catalyst and therefore, it exhibited different catalytic behavior than the pure alumina catalyst. For both catalysts, the crystalline phase of γ-alumina was reported using XRD technique, and the crystallite size ranged from 7.8 to 12.8 nm. Using TEM images, the alumina catalyst doped with Fe revealed to contain a mixture of three types of iron oxide (maghemite, magnetite and hematite), mainly as roughly spherical nanoparticles. For both alumina catalysts, trichloroethylene catalytic combustion was conducted on a packed bed reactor in air at a temperature range of 50 to 600 °C. The alumina catalyst doped with Fe showed a higher catalytic activity than pure alumina, mainly due to the presence of micropores and grain morphology of flat faces.     

Gold catalysts supported on ZnO/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> for low-temperature CO oxidation

Gold catalysts with loadings ranging from 0.5 to 7.0 wt% on a ZnO/Al₂O₃ support were prepared by the deposition–precipitation method (Au/ZnO/Al₂O₃) with ammonium bicarbonate as the precipitation agent and were evaluated for performance in CO oxidation. These catalysts were characterized by inductively coupled plasma-atom emission spectrometry, temperature programmed reduction, and scanning transmission electron microscopy. The catalytic activity for CO oxidation was measured using a flow reactor under atmospheric pressure. Catalytic activity was found to be strongly dependent on the reduction property of oxygen adsorbed on the gold surface, which related to gold particle size. Higher catalytic activity was found when the gold particles had an average diameter of 3–5 nm; in this range, gold catalysts were more active than the Pt/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalyst in CO oxidation. Au/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalyst with small amount of ZnO is more active than Au/Al₂O₃ catalyst due to higher dispersion of gold particles.     

Effect of crystalline modification of the support on the reduction and catalytic properties of Cu/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts in the steam reforming of bioethanol

A study was carried out on the steam reforming of bioethanol (15 vol.% ethanol in water) at 250–500 °C on copper catalysts supported on ZrO₂ of the monoclinic (Z) and yttrium-stabilized tetragonal crystalline modifications (YSZ). Copper nanoparticles in such catalysts have similar reactivity regardless of the copper content and crystalline modification of the support. Cu/YSZ is highly selective relative to CO₂, which may be related to enhanced mobility of oxygen in the support in the presence of Y₂O₃ stabilizing additive.     

Catalytic Activity of WO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript> with Pt and Pd Additives in Oxidation of Hydrogen

We have shown that WO₃ and MoO₃ with Pt or Pd additives exhibit high catalytic activity in the reaction of H₂ oxidation. In the temperature range 313 K to 353 K, we have studied the kinetic behavior of the reaction on 0.1 mass % Pt(Pd)/WO₃ and Pt(Pd)/MoO₃ samples. We have established that the kinetics of H₂ oxidation on these catalysts correspond to an Eley - Rideal mechanism. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Eksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 313–316, September–October, 2005.