Surface and Catalytic Properties of SnO 2 –Cr 2 O 3 Catalysts

Abstract

Co-precipitated SnO₂–Cr₂O₃ catalysts of different chemical composition were prepared. The textural properties were determined from the low-temperature nitrogen adsorption isotherms while the structural properties were determined using FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. The magnetic moments of the catalysts were measured by the Gouy method. Catalytic conversion of 2-propanol, 1-butanol and the dehydrogenation of cyclohexane were followed using the pulse microcatalytic technique.

No spinel structure was detected, even upon calcination at temperatures as high as 973 K. Only Cr₂O₃ was detected for samples containing ≥15 mol% chromia. The chemical composition and calcination temperatures are important factors in determining the textural properties of mixed oxide catalysts. The catalytic activity depends on the effective magnetic moment and surface acidity.