Published 4 issues per year
ISSN Print: 2572-9896
ISSN Online: 2572-990X
Indexed in
IN SITU DRIFTS STUDIES OF THE NOVEL SUPERACIDIC SULFATED ZIRCONIA CATALYST: AN INVESTIGATION OF ACIDITY, CATALYTIC ACTIVITY, DEACTIVATION PHENOMENON AND REGENERATION OF ACTIVE SITES
ABSTRACT
Zirconium oxide is an interesting and challenging material due to its characteristic structural and chemical properties as well as thermal stability. These properties play a key role in its vast utilization in diverse industrial applications. A novel superacidic sulfated zirconia catalyst called fuel lean sulfated zirconia (FLSZ) was developed by the combustion synthesis technique. It was fully characterized for its bulk and surface chemical properties employing various analytical techniques. The catalyst was found to be nanocrystalline, multifunctional, selective, and recyclable and can be used for the development of sustainable organic processes in a variety of industries. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopic (DRIFTS) studies were performed to investigate various catalytic phenomena such as Lewis and Bronsted acid sites, catalytic activity, and deactivation and regeneration of active sites.