Catalytic Materials Made of Sepiolite.

Abstract

The cation exchange capacity (CEC) of sepiolite is greatly enlarged by the ion exchange in an aqueous solution at a high temperature of 95°C as well as the precalcination of original sepiolite at temperatures over 500°C. The Ni ions incorporated for Mg ions in sepiolite crystal exist in the divalent state and are octahedrally-coordinated. An original sepiolite without metal-ion exchange iscompletely inert as a catalyst for any reactions. However, the fixation of Ni orZn confers higher catalytic activity on it for the dehydration of n-butyl alcohol or the benzylation of benzene, respectively.