The balance between acidity and tetragonal phase fraction in the favorable catalytic act of modified zirconia towards isomerized n-hexane(s)

Abstract

Zirconia-based catalysts were promoted by acid functions (sulfate and phosphate anions) and tested in order to establish catalyst efficiency in test reaction of n-hexane isomerization. The impact of surface and structural properties on the final catalytic performance is also investigated. It is proven that well-established balance between total catalyst acidity, acidic surface density and crystal phase nano-structure determines the catalytic activity in the reaction towards isomerized products. Type of acidic promoter strongly affects the resulted catalytic act. This stands for pyrosylfate groups in sulfated zirconia catalysts and orthophosphate groups in phosphated zirconia catalysts both essential in the favorable reaction run.