Acid and catalytic properties of phosphoric acid activated carbons in ETBE synthesis

What is it about?

Carbon catalysts were prepared by phosphoric acid activation of styrene–divinylbenzene copolymer followed by liquid phase oxidation with nitric acid. Their surface properties were modified by heat treatment in an argon atmosphere, and their acid properties were characterized by quasi-equilibrium temperature desorption of ammonia and by acid–base titration. The pore structure was characterized by nitrogen adsorption. Their catalytic activity in the synthesis of ethyl-tert-butyl ether (ETBE) from isobutene and ethanol was investigated. It has been shown that the carbon catalysts are active and selective in ETBE synthesis. The main factor determining the catalytic activity of carbon catalysts is the total number of acid surface sites. A linear correlation between total amount of surface sites and catalytic activity was found.

Featured Image