Preparation, characterization, and oxidation catalysis of H3PMo12O40 heteropolyacid catalyst immobilized on carbon aerogel

Abstract

Carbon aerogel (CA) with high surface area and large pore volume was prepared by polycondensation of resorcinol with formaldehyde. The surface of CA was then modified to have a positive charge, and thus to provide a site for the immobilization of H3PMo12O40 (PMo12) catalyst. By taking advantage of the overall negative charge of [PMo12O40]3−, PMo12 catalyst was chemically immobilized on the surface-modified CA as a charge matching component. It was found that PMo12 catalyst was finely dispersed on the CA support via chemical interaction. In the vaporphase 2-propanol conversion reaction, the PMo12/CA catalyst showed a higher 2-propanol conversion than the unsupported PMo12 catalyst. Furthermore, the PMo12/CA catalyst showed an enhanced oxidation catalytic activity (formation of acetone) and a suppressed acid catalytic activity (formation of propylene and isopropyl ether) compared to the unsupported PMo12 catalyst. The enhanced oxidation activity of PMo12/CA catalyst was due to fine dispersion of [PMo12O40]3− on the CA support formed via chemical immobilization.