New Method for the Temperature‐ Programmed Desorption (TPD) of Ammonia Experiment for Characterization of Zeolite Acidity: A Review

In this review, a method for the temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD) of ammonia experiment for the characterization of zeolite acidity and its improvement by simultaneous IR measurement and DFT calculation are described. First, various methods of ammonia TPD are explained, since the measurements have been conducted under the concepts of kinetics, equilibrium, or diffusion control. It is however emphasized that the ubiquitous TPD experiment is governed by the equilibrium between ammonia molecules in the gas phase and on the surface. Therefore, a method to measure quantitatively the strength of the acid site (?H upon ammonia desorption) under equilibrium‐controlled conditions is elucidated. Then, a quantitative relationship between ?H and H₀ function is proposed, based on which the acid strength ?H can be converted into the H₀ function. The identification of the desorption peaks and the quantitative measurement of the number of acid sites are then explained. In order to overcome a serious disadvantage of the method (i.e., no information is provided about the structure of acid sites), the simultaneous measurement of IR spectroscopy with ammonia TPD, named IRMS‐TPD (infrared spectroscopy/mass spectrometry–temperature‐programmed desorption), is proposed. Based on this improved measurement, Brønsted and Lewis acid sites were differentiated and the distribution of Brønsted OH was revealed. The acidity characterized by IRMS‐TPD was further supported by the theoretical DFT calculation. Thus, the advanced study of zeolite acidity at the molecular level was made possible. Advantages and disadvantages of the ammonia TPD experiment are discussed, and understanding of the catalytic cracking activity based on the derived acidic profile is explained.     

Ammonia IRMS-TPD study on the distribution of acid sites in mordenite

Using an IRMS-TPD (temperature programmed desorption) of ammonia, we studied the nature, strength, crystallographic location, and distribution of acid sites of mordenite. In this method, infrared spectroscopy (IR) and mass spectroscopy (MS) work together to follow the thermal behavior of adsorbed and desorbed ammonia, respectively; therefore, adsorbed species were identified, and their thermal behavior was directly connected with the desorption of ammonia during an elevation of temperature. IR-measured TPD of the NH4(+) cation was similar to MS-measured TPD, thus showing the nature of Br?nsted acidity. From the behavior of OH bands, it was found that the Br?nsted acid sites consisted of two kinds of OH bands at high and low wavenumbers, ascribable to OH bands situated on 12- and 8-member rings (MR) of mordenite structure, respectively. The amount and strength of these Br?nsted hydroxyls were measured quantitatively based on a theoretical equation using a curve fitting method. Up to ca. 30% of the exchange degree, NH4(+) was exchanged with Na+ on the 12-MR to arrive at saturation; therefore, in this region, the Br?nsted acid site was situated on the large pore of 12-MR. The NH4(+) cation was then exchanged with Na+ on 8-MR, and finally exceeded the amount on 12-MR. In the 99% NH4-mordenite, Br?nsted acid sites were located predominantly on the 8-MR more than on the 12-MR. Irrespective of the NH4(+) exchange degree, the strengths deltaH of Br?nsted OH were 145 and 153 kJ mol(-1) on the 12- and 8-MR, respectively; that is, the strength of Br?nsted acid site on the 8-MR was larger than that on the 12-MR. A density functional theory (DFT) calculation supported the difference in the strengths of the acid sites. Catalytic cracking activity of the Br?nsted acid sites on the 8-MR declined rapidly, while that on the 12-MR was remarkably kept. The difference in strength and/or steric capacity may cause such a difference in the life of a catalyst.     

Characterization of the acidic properties of zeolites by means of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of ammonia

Desorption energy distributions were calculated for temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of ammonia from H zeolites of different type by means of regularization. This method does not require any limiting assumptions about the distribution function. It could be shown that the desorption energy distributions obtained are nearly independent of the experimental conditions and therefore they should represent a suitable measure for the distribution of the strength of acidic sites. The calculated desorption energy distributions for the ammonia desorption from the isolated bridging SiOHAl groups of H zeolites of different type significantly differ from each other in shape. The increase of the desorption energy of the main range of the distribution functions correlates well with the increase of the average acid strength of the SiOHAl groups with decreasing Al content of the zeolites.     

Adsorption and desorption of small molecules for the characterization of solid acids

The relative acid strength and acid amount of solid acids has been determined from the adsorption and desorption of small molecules, such as argon. The order of activation energy for desorption of Ar from a solid acid, determined using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), is sulfated zirconia > Cs_2.5H_0.5PW₁₂O₄₀ > proton-type zeolites > silica–alumina. The adsorption isotherms were analyzed using Langmuir and Henry equations. The Henry-type adsorption isotherms were also analyzed using the theory of Cremer and Flügge. The heat of Ar adsorption was 22 kJ mol⁻¹ for sulfated zirconia and ca. 17 kJ mol⁻¹ for mordenite, ZSM-5, and beta-zeolite. Molybdenum oxides reduced at 623 and 773 K exhibited a large heat of adsorption (19.3 and 19.7 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively), and these materials are classified as superacids. W-Nb mixed-oxides and tungstated tin oxide (calcined at 1373 K), which are newly developed solid acids, had a heat of adsorption of 18.1 and 16.9 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The type of acid site could be distinguished by comparing the heat of adsorption of Ar and N₂. Our data indicate that Ar is useful for the characterization of solid acids.     

Temperature-programmed desorption of water and ammonia on sulphated zirconia catalysts for measuring their strong acidity and acidity distribution

Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of water and ammonia over ZrO₂ and sulphated ZrO₂ prepared by different methods has been investigated for measuring strong acidity and acidity distribution on sulphated zirconia-type solid super-acid catalysts. The TPD of water provides a simple reliable method for this purpose because of the high stability of water molecules under redox conditions     

Excitation Wavelength Dependence of Photocatalyzed Oxidation of Methanol on TiO2(110)

Post-irradiation temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) has been used to study the photocatalyzed oxidation of methanol on TiO₂(110) surface under the irradiation of 360, 380 and 400 nm light. The photocatalytic process initiated by ultraviolet light of different wavelength are similar. Methanol has been photocatalytically converted into formaldehyde, and the released hydrogen atoms transfer to the neighboring twofold coordinated oxygen to form bridging hydroxyls. The reaction rate, however, is strongly wavelength dependent. The reaction rate under 360 nm light irradiation is 4.8 times of that in the case of 400 nm exposure, consistent with a previous femtosecond time-resolved absorption measurement on TiO₂ which shows the faster charge carrier recombination in the near-band-gap than the over-band-gap excitation. So far, the underlying factors which govern the excitation wavelength dependence of photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ and other photocatalysts remain unclear, and future studies are needed to address this important issue.     

Characterization and removal of extra lattice species in faujasites

The acidic properties of dealuminated Y-type zeolites were characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, microcalorimetry, ²⁹Si magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). Microcalorimetric measurements exhibited a uniform heat of adsorption (140 kJ/mol) of ammonia on the strong Brönsted acid sites. The differences in the acid site concentrations measured by adsorption of ammonia from the gas phase and by decomposition of ammonium-exchanged zeolites are discussed. The results indicate that parts of the extra lattice material consisting of cationic aluminium oxide species or silica alumina species are removed by ion exchange with aqueous solutions of ammonium hydroxide. Based on this, a method for the controlled removal of extra lattice material was developed.     

Analysis of Acidic Properties of Zeolitic and Non-Zeolitic Solid Acid Catalysts Using Temperature-Programmed Desorption of Ammonia

A method of ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) for analysis of acidic property of a solid was improved by introduction of a water vapor treatment method and development of a theory for calculation of ammonia adsorption heat from the TPD profile. The improved method was applied to various solid acid catalysts to establish relationships between the acidic properties and catalytic performances for various acid-catalyzed reactions. Here, examples of the applications to some important acid catalysts are reviewed. The exact analysis of acidic property of Y zeolite and its change by such modifications as steaming and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) treatment gave a new interpretation on the generation of alkane (paraffin) cracking activity on an ultra stable Y (USY) zeolite. The surface density and strength of acid sites on WO₃/ZrO₂ and SO₄ ^2–/ZrO₂ catalysts were determined, and their relations with catalytic activities for Friedel–Crafts type alkylation and skeletal isomerization of alkane were found.     

Nitrogen as a Probe Molecule for the IR Studies of the Heterogeneity of OH Groups in Zeolites

One of the methods of IR studies of the heterogeneity of Si–OH–Al groups in zeolites is the investigation of the frequency shift of the band of free OH bands restored upon the adsorption of ammonia and subsequent desorption at increasing temperatures. We extended this method by following the shift of the band of the OH group interacting by hydrogen bonding with nitrogen. The advantage of nitrogen, compared with CO, which has been commonly used as a probe molecule in studies on hydrogen bonding, is that for nitrogen the frequency shift is smaller than for CO and therefore there is no overlapping of shifted OH band with the bands of ammonium ions. For zeolites NaHY, HMFI, and HBEA, the frequency shift of IR bands of both free and hydrogen-bonded Si–OH–Al with the increase of ammonia desorption temperature evidences the heterogeneity of these hydroxyls. On the other hand, in zeolite HFAU of Si/Al = 31, Si–OH–Al were found to be homogeneous. Heterogeneity of OH groups may be explained both by the presence of Si–OH–Al of various number of Al near the bridge and of Si–OH–Al of various geometry.     

Temperature-programmed desorption of n-hexane from hydrated HZSM-5 and NH4ZSM-5 zeolites

Temperature-programmed desorption coupled with mass spectrometer as a detector (TPD), IR and ¹³C NMR measurements are used to study the adsorption of n-hexane on hydrated HZSM-5 and NH₄ZSM-5 zeolites. The ¹³C NMR measurements show that n-hexane can access the pore structure of ZSM-5 zeolites previously saturated with water. TPD spectra of n-hexane are monitored in the temperature region 50–300°C, in the case of fully or partially hydrated samples; two-stage desorption of n-hexane is found. Simultaneous desorption of water and n-hexane in the same temperature region are found, in all investigated samples.     

Photocatalytic Dissociation of CH3OH on ZnO(0001) Surface

Photocatalysis of CH₃OH on the ZnO(0001) surface has been investigated by using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) method with a 266 nm laser light. TPD results show that part of the CH₃OH adsorbed on ZnO(0001) surface are in molecular form, while others are dissociated. The thermal reaction products of H₂, CH₃^·, H₂O, CO, CH₂O, CO₂ and CH₃OH have been detected. Experiments with the UV laser light indicate that the irradiation can promote the dissociation of CH₃OH/CH₃O^· to form CH₂O, which can be future converted to HCOO^- during heating or illumination. The reaction between CH₃OH_Znand OH_ad can form the H₂O molecule at the Zn site. Both temperature and illumination promote the desorption of CH₃^· from CH₃O^·. The research provides a new insight into the photocatalytic reaction mechanism of CH3OH on ZnO(0001).     

TPD study of NH3 adsorption/desorption on the surface of V/Ti, V/Al based catalysts for selective catalytic reduction of Nox by ammonia 2. TPD test of commercial V/W/Ti, V/Al, Pd/V/Al catalysts

The effect of temperature on the adsorption/desorption of ammonia from the air mixture on the surface of commercial binary V/Al and ternary Pd/V/Al, V(0.65 wt.%) /W(6.73 wt.%) /Ti and V(1.8 wt.%) /W(7.3 wt.%) /Ti de-NO_x catalysts has been investigated by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) method. The ability of the commercial catalysts to adsorb ammonia in the most stable surface species was shown to correlate well with their suppression of the NH₃ oxidation.     

Identity of two types of strong Brønsted acid sites in mazzite revealed by CO probe: IR study and periodic DFT modeling

The nature of catalytic Brønsted sites in mazzite is clarified by molecular modeling combined with spectroscopy. Density Functional Theory study for periodic models of high-silica mazzite evidence that most stable bridging hydroxyls, noticeably binding CO probe, fall into two categories: Brønsted sites located in larger channels, characterized by higher OH frequency of bare hydroxyl with very large redshift upon CO interaction, and lower-frequency sites located in smaller channels, showing lower redshift. This fully corresponds to two bands obtained for OH stretch in IR spectra. Very good agreement between theory and experiment found in this work not only confirms that Brønsted sites studied here belong to the strongest acid sites among known zeolites but also clarifies their identity in mazzite. Location of sites with exceptionally large red shift upon CO adsorption at 12-T wide channel very well conforms to both intuitive expectations and predictions for other zeolites from former studies.     

Adsorption of water on zeolites of different types

We have investigated the interaction of water with Na⁺-ion exchanged zeolites of different structures (LTA, FAU, ERI, MOR and MFI) by means of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). The non-isothermal desorption of water shows, depending on the zeolite type, differently structured desorption profiles. In every case the profiles have, however, two main ranges. Using a regularization method, desorption energy distribution functions have been calculated. The desorption energy distributions between 42–60 kJ mol^?1, which can be attributed to a non-specific interaction of water, show two clearly distinguished energy ranges. The water desorption behaviour of this range correlates with the electronegativity of the zeolites and the average charge of the lattice oxygen atoms calculated by means of the electronegativity equalization method (EEM). The part of the desorption energy distributions in the range of 60–90 kJ mol^?1, reflecting interactions of water with Na⁺ cations, shows two more or less pronounced maxima. In agreement with vibrational spectroscopic studies in the far infrared region, it may be concluded that all samples under study possess at least two different cation sites.     

Interactions and binding energies of dimethyl methylphosphonate and dimethyl chlorophosphate with amorphous silica

The fundamental interactions of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) and dimethyl chlorophosphate (DMCP) on amorphous silica nanoparticles have been investigated with transmission infrared spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). DMMP and DMCP both adsorb molecularly to silica through the formation of hydrogen bonds between isolated silanols and the phosphoryl oxygen of the adsorbate. The magnitude of the shift of the ν(OH) mode upon simulant adsorption is correlated to the adsorption strength. The activation energies for desorption for a single DMMP or DMCP molecule from amorphous silica varied with coverage. In the limit of zero coverage, after the effects of defects were excluded, the activation energies were 54.5 ± 0.3 and 48.4 ± 1.0 kJ/mol for DMMP and DMCP, respectively.     

Structure and acid-basic properties of the surface of titanium oxides modified by phosphorus and aluminum and prepared by the alkoxo method. 2. Study of the active surface of titanium oxides

The data of temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia from the surface of oxide systems and IR spectroscopy were used to demonstrate that the strength of the surface acid sites in titanium oxides prepared by the alkoxo method and modified by aluminum decreases with respect to that in nonmodified titanium oxide. Modification of titanium oxide with P³⁺ ions from ethriol phosphite almost completely suppresses the acid properties. Modified oxides are able to chemisorb water. XANES data suggest that modification of titanium oxide with phosphorus ions increases the electron density on the titanium atoms and, correspondingly, the basicity of the materials.     

IR study of heterogeneity of OH groups in zeolite HY-splitting of OH and OD bands

We have been studying the problem of heterogeneity of OH groups in zeolites HY for a long time. The heterogeneity was suggested by the shift of the IR band of OH groups restoring upon ammonia desorption and also by the fact that the band of OH groups forming hydrogen bonds was relatively broad (broader than for homogeneous acidic OH). In the present study we present another important argument for heterogeneity: the splitting of the IR band of free OH and OD groups in a zeolite of Si/Al=8.3 dealuminated by (NH₄)₂SiF₆ treatment. Such a splitting is the best seen in low temperature spectra of OD groups. We found less acidic 3640 cm⁻¹ (AlO)(SiO)₂SiO₁HAl(OSi)₃ and more acidic 3625 cm⁻¹ (SiO)₃SiO₁HAl(OSi)₃ groups. The presence of these two kinds of hydroxyls corresponds to the presence of Si(2Al) and Si(1Al), respectively, detected in ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectra. We also found a small amount of strongly acidic 3599 cm⁻¹ hydroxyls interacting with extraframework Al species.     

Adsorption of trisilylamine on the Si(100) surface

Adsorption of trisilylamine (TSA) on the Si(100) surface has been studied using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and time‐of‐flight electron stimulated desorption (TOFESD). TPD spectra exhibit the presence of three desorption states denoted by β₁, β₂, and β₃ associated with the presence of a mono‐, di‐, and tri‐hydride state respectively. This behavior is identical with previously observed desorption studies resulting from atomic hydrogen adsorption, indicating that the nitrogen species in the adsorbate has minimal impact on the surface structure of the hydride. Preliminary electron irradiation studies are reported and indicate that the formation of a thin silicon nitride layer is induced as a result of the irradiation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ru/Ce(OH)CO3纳米复合材料催化氨硼烷水解产氢

采用一种简单的方法快速合成了Ru/Ce（OH）CO₃纳米复合材料。基于TG,XRD,TEM,EDX,XPS和ICP等方法详细表征了所制备的催化剂,并用于催化氨硼烷水解制氢。表征结果表明尺寸大约为4.8 nm的Ru纳米粒子高度分散在Ce（OH）CO₃纳米棒上。该催化剂对于氨硼烷水解制氢表现出优异的催化性能,在室温下其转化频率（TOF）达到389.6 mol_H2·mol_Ru^-1·min^-1。而且该催化剂循环使用11次之后依然能够对氨硼烷催化产氢保持很高的活性。     

Probing the Reactivity of ZnO and Au/ZnO Nanoparticles by Methanol Adsorption: A TPD and DRIFTS Study

The adsorption of methanol on pure ZnO and Au‐decorated ZnO nanoparticles and its thermal decomposition monitored by temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD) experiments and by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), both applied under continuous flow conditions in fixed bed reactors, is reported. Two distinguishable methoxy species are formed during methanol adsorption on ZnO differing in the C? O stretching bands. During the subsequent TPD experiments two different H₂ peaks are observed, indicating the conversion of methoxy into formate species. By applying different heating rates, activation energies of 109 kJ mol^?1 and 127 kJmol^?1 for the selective oxidation of the two methoxy species are derived. Correspondingly, the methoxy decomposition results in two distinguishable formate species, which are identified by the asymmetric and symmetric OCO stretching bands on pure ZnO and Au/ZnO. Based on the decreased intensities of the OH bands during methanol adsorption, which are specific for the various ZnO single crystal surfaces, on the different reactivities of these surfaces, and on the formate FTIR bands observed on ZnO single crystal surfaces, the two methoxy and the corresponding formate species are identified to be adsorbed on the exposed less reactive non‐polar ZnO(${10\bar 10}$ ) surface and on the highly reactive polar ZnO(${000\bar 1}$ ) surface. The simultaneous formation of H₂, CO, and CO₂ at about 550–600 K during the TPD experiments indicate the decomposition of adsorbed formate species. The CO/CO₂ ratio decreases with increasing Au loading, and a broad band due to electronic transitions from donor sites to the conduction band is observed in the DRIFT spectra for the Au‐decorated ZnO nanoparticles. Thus, the presence of the Au nanoparticles results in an enhanced reducibility of ZnO facilitating the generation of oxygen vacancies.