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Title: Effect of the synthetic method on the catalytic activity of alumina: Epoxidation of cyclohexene

Journal Article · · Materials Research Bulletin
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Departamento de Química, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán (Colombia)
  2. Departamento de Física, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán (Colombia)

Graphical abstract: Temperature influence on percent conversion and selectivity in the epoxidation of cyclohexene using commercial alumina as a catalyst. - Highlights: • Aluminum oxide was synthesized using Pechini method. • The alumina obtained showed a mix of boehmite and γ-alumina phases. • We research an economically feasible method to obtain alumina for use as a catalyst. • Alumina obtained by Pechini showed high percent conversion and/or selectivity. • The best results were 78% conversion and 78% selectivity to epoxidation reactions. - Abstract: Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} was prepared from different inorganic precursors via the Pechini method and compared with Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} prepared by the sol–gel method. Structural characterization of these materials was carried out by FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), N{sub 2} adsorption at −196 °C and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The solids were tested in the epoxidation of cyclohexene and a difference in their catalytic activities was observed. The characterization results indicate that the samples prepared by Pechini have a mixture of γ-alumina and boehmite, a condition favoring catalytic activity, whereas the sol–gel sample is less crystalline due to higher boehmite content. These results indicate that both the nature of the precursor and the method of synthesis strongly affect the catalytic activity of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}.

OSTI ID:
22420804
Journal Information:
Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 62; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English