Effect of Structure of Pd/WO3-ZrO2 Catalyst on Its Activity for Direct Oxidation of Ethylene to Acetic Acid

A series of 1%Pd/WO₃-ZrO₂ catalysts with different W/Zr ratios and calcination temperatures of WO₃-ZrO₂ were prepared by an impregnation method. Their crystal structure, surface state, and acidity were determined using X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption, NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption, pyridine infrared spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction. Special attention was paid to the surface states of tungsten and palladium under different preparation conditions. The results revealed that WO_x surface species underwent a transformation from polytungstate species to coexistent polytungstate/crystalline WO₃ and further to crystalline WO₃ particles with increase of W/Zr ratio and calcination temperature. The W/Zr = 0.2 sample calcined at 1 073 K showed the maximum amount of polytungstates, which were responsible for the excellent activity. Moreover, the state of palladium was only dependent on the calcination temperature. Well-dispersed Pd species were responsible for high selectivity to acetic acid, and large metallic Pd particles were favorable for ethylene combustion.