Mixed-Metal Oxide Catalyst for Liquid Phase Benzene Alkylation

Abstract

Development of cheaper, active and more ecofriendly heterogeneous acid catalyst is a challenge mitigating the petrochemical industries. CuO-MoO₃/ZrO₂ solid catalyst was prepared by impregnation using suitable precursor materials supported over zirconia. Upon calcination at 450°C for 2 h and activation (by soaking in 2M H₂SO₄ for 30 minutes), available techniques were employed for the characterization. The available oxides and minerals in the catalyst were revealed by the XRF and XRD profiles respectively. The catalyst crystallite size (131.6nm) was obtained using the Bragg’s equation from the latter. Thermal analysis showed three weight loss stages between (49.25-152.06°C), (152.06-559.47°C) and (559.47-752.0°C ) while presence of sulphate and zirconia oxides was revealed by the FTIR analysis due to appearance of absorption bands around 1225-980cm^-1 and 700-600cm^-1 respectively. The catalyst (1wt%)  was tested for alkylation in a continuous stirred reactor at 80°C using variable (2:1, 4:1 and 10:1) benzene to 1-decene molar ratios. The effects of reaction time and molar ratios on the selectivity, conversion and yield were determined. The alkylation results showed that the catalyst is highly selective to 1-decylbenzene as low amount of side products was obtained. The product yield and conversion increased with reaction time and benzene /1-decene molar ratio while selectivity decreased with increase in benzene /1-decene molar ratio with time.