Synthesis and Characterization of Ta 2 O 5 −ZrO 2 Systems: Structure, Surface Acidity, and Catalytic Properties.
Résumé
The preparation of binary materials based on Ta2O5-ZrO2 by a sol-gel method and with a wide range of compositions is reported (Ta2O5 nominal content from 4 to 74% w/w). Materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, and infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Their acidic characteristics were evaluated from the model reaction of 2-propanol dehydration and the adsorption of CO at 77 K and 2,6-dimethylpyridine at 373 K, both followed by infrared spectroscopy. Increasing tantalum content brings about a development of a surface TaOx phase followed by a progressive formation of aggregates of amorphous Ta2O5. Increased stabilization of tetragonal zirconia was also observed with increasing Ta loading. The surface area, number and strength of Bro¨nsted acid sites, and the catalytic activity in the 2-propanol dehydration increase with the increase in tantalum content up to ca. 50% w/w Ta2O5. A surface area of 103 m2 g-1 was obtained for a solid with a Ta2O5 content of 53% w/w after calcination at 873 K. The abundance of Bro¨nsted acid sites, determined by lutidine adsorption, and their strength, determined by CO adsorption at 77 K, correlated with the catalytic activity in the 2-propanol dehydration.