Objective
Two main problems are usually met in studies of sulfated zirconia based catalysts for alkanes isomerisation. One problem is that all attempts to register the so-called "superacid" sites on the catalyst surface with standard techniques failed up to now. Another problem is the bulk character of these catalysts, not allowing one to extract reliable data about the active sulfated zirconia surface with conventional physical and chemical methods.
It is possible to solve both problems by preparing finely dispersed sulfated zirconia on a support. However, the small clusters of sulfated zirconia strongly interact with the supports. This interaction essentially changes the electronic structure of sulfated zirconia and its properties allowing oxygen diffusion.
According to our recent data, the most active sulfated zirconia catalysts possess a large number of sites Zr3+, which interact with the adsorbed alkanes. Therefore, we believe the skeleton isomerization of alkanes to proceed via the radical but not acid-base mechanism. Oxygen thermal desorption data show that sites Zr3+ are indeed active in the skeleton isomerization reactions. These sites have a short life, but they are continuously generated at oxygen desorption.
The project aims at the synthesis of supported sulfated zirconia catalysts to be active in the skeleton isomerization of alkanes. Active sites on these catalysts will be investigated with various methods, and the role of radical mechanism in isomerization processes will be determined. With this regard we suggest the following programme:
Aluminium and titanium phosphates to be used as supports for sulfated zirconia clusters. Phosphates readily interact with zirconia, and their acid properties may be easily regulated (tailored), thus allowing regulating the acidity of supported sulfated zirconia. We are able to support 10 nm sulfated zirconia particles, and the thickness of surface coverage by zirconium ions may be varied from one to 20 layers.
Standard procedures will be used to test the synthesised catalysts activity in the skeleton isomerization of alkanes.
Acid properties of supports will be modified to determine their effect on catalysts performance.
EXAFS, WAXS (SR fir wavelength ~ 0.03 nm), Raman spectroscopy, NMR of P and S isotopes and HREM with EDX and EELS accessories will be used to investigate the structure, symmetry and conducting properties of active component.
Acidic properties of surface sites with coordination one or two will be studied with NMR and in situ FTIR using various probe molecules.
Selenated zirconia catalysts will also be synthesised for comparison to study surface species with in situ FTIR and Raman spectroscopies.
in situ ESR will be applied to investigate surface intermediates involved in Zr3+ reaction with alkanes.
Electrochemical methods will be used to reveal correlation between the lattice oxygen mobility and catalyst activity.
As a result of project implementation we shall elucidate
the role of radicals in the skeleton isomerization of alkanes;
the role of conducting properties of sulfated zirconia in this reaction;
the structure of active sites on the catalyst surface;
the actual mechanism of skeleton isomerization of alkanes on supported sulfated zirconia catalysts.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project has not yet been classified with EuroSciVoc.
Be the first one to suggest relevant scientific fields and help us improve our classification service
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Data not available
Coordinator
L69 7ZD Liverpool
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.