Catalytic properties of TiO2 (anatase and rutile) in the conversion of ethanol and isopropanol

Abstract

1. The conditions of precipitation of samples of TiO2 greatly influence their surfaces (from 6 to 80 m2/g), while the specific activity, especially for anatase, changes little. The activation energy of the dehydration of i-C3H7OH (36–39 kcal/mole) also changes little. 2. TiO2 (anatase) catalyzes chiefly the dehydration of i-C3OH7OH (92–97% propylene at 295–340°C). 3. TiO2 (rutile) results in a selective conversion of alcohols; with decreasing lattice parameters the dehydrogenating ability of rutile increases. Highly active rutile contains an increased amount of structural water per unit surface.