Isomerization of n-hexane over mono- and bimetallic Pd–Pt catalysts supported on ZrO 2–Al 2O 3–WO x prepared by sol–gel

Abstract

The catalytic performance of mono- and bimetallic Pd (0.6, 1.0 wt.%)–Pt (0.3 wt.%) catalysts supported on ZrO 2 (70, 85 wt.%)–Al 2O 3 (15, 0 wt.%)–WO x (15 wt.%) prepared by sol–gel was studied in the hydroisomerization of n-hexane. The catalysts were characterized by N 2 physisorption, XRD, TPR, XPS, Raman, NMR, and FT-IR of adsorbed pyridine. The preparation of ZrW and ZrAlW mixed oxides by sol–gel favored the high dispersion of WO x and the stabilization of zirconia in the tetragonal phase. The Al incorporation avoided the formation of monoclinic-WO 3 bulk phase. The catalysts increased their S BET for about 15% promoted by Al 2O 3 addition. Various oxidation states of WO x species coexist on the surface of the catalysts after calcination. The structure of the highly dispersed surface WO x species is constituted mainly of isolated monotungstate and two-dimensional mono-oxotungstate species in tetrahedral coordination. The activity of Pd/ZrW catalysts in the hydroisomerization of n-hexane is promoted both with the addition of Al to the ZrW mixed oxide and the addition of Pt to Pd/ZrAlW catalysts. The improvement in the activity of Pd/ZrAlW catalysts is ascribed to a moderated acid strength and acidity, which can be correlated to the coexistence of W 6+ and reduced-state WO x species (either W 4+ or W 0). The addition of Pt to the Pd/ZrAlW catalyst does not modify significantly its acidic character. Selectivity results showed that the catalyst produced 2MP, 3MP and the high octane 2,3-dimethylbutane (2,3-DMB) and 2,2-dimethylbutane (2,2-DMB) isomers.