An investigation into the structure and activity of monometallic and bimetallic copper and gold catalysts for propene oxidation

Bracey, Charlotte Louise 2012. An investigation into the structure and activity of monometallic and bimetallic copper and gold catalysts for propene oxidation. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

CuAu/SiO2 catalysts were prepared in a number of ways, the main route being incipient wetness impregnation, but other methods, like deposition precipitation and high dispersion, were also used. Bimetallic and monometallic catalysts were prepared for this investigation and most were characterised by various techniques such as XRD, SEM, TPR, BET, UV visible and TEM. Theoretical and characterisation studies of CuAu catalysts have generated considerable interest. However, little research has been carried out on their catalytic activity. Therefore, propene oxidation was chosen as the principal reaction, as it was previously examined by Chimentao and group.1 This study showed that the reduction of the catalysts in H2/Ar was fundamental to alloy formation. The most active catalyst was made by a sequential procedure that deposited the copper onto the silica support by high dispersion, followed by depositing gold onto the support by deposition precipitation. The catalyst was then treated by a Sinfelt thermal treatment which involved a reduction in H2/Ar at 315oC for 2h followed by a high temperature calcination at 676oC in air for 15h. Propene oxidation was performed in the presence of hydrogen and a propene conversion of 10% was observed at 320oC, with a selectivity towards acrolein (90%) and some carbon dioxide (10%). The purpose of this study was to obtain an understanding of the nature of these CuAu/SiO2 catalysts and to determine if there were any relationship towards their activity for propene oxidation.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Chemistry
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2017 10:36
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/39198

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