Preparation of TiO2–ZrO2 mixed oxides with controlled acid–basic properties

Abstract

Abstract Titania–zirconia mixed oxides with various ZrO 2 content in TiO 2 (10, 50 and 90 wt.%) were prepared by the sol–gel method. High specific surface areas (77–244 m 2 /g) were obtained. Acidity determined by NH 3 -TPD and FTIR-pyridine adsorption showed that in mixed oxides the number of acid sites is dramatically increased; it varies from 173 μmol NH 3 /g for TiO 2 to 1226–1456 μmol NH 3 /g for the mixed oxides. FTIR-pyridine adsorption showed the presence of Lewis sites in the catalysts. Basic sites were identified by FTIR-CO 2 adsorption, suggesting the formation of mixed oxides with acid–basic properties. XRD spectra identified anatase in the TiO 2 rich region, amorphous material in the mixed oxide 50–50 TiO 2 –ZrO 2 and tetragonal and monoclinic crystalline phases in the ZrO 2 rich region. Activity in the isopropanol decomposition showed a good correlation between the acid–basic properties and the selectivity to propene, acetone and isopropyl ether. The latter was found as a product which mainly depends of the acid sites density.