Catalytic conversion of isopropanol and CO oxidation in presence of NiO supported on modified cordierite

Abstract

A commercial cordierite sample showed a small catalytic activity in isopropanol conversion carried out at 150-350 °C and no measurable activity in CO oxidation by O 2. On the other hand, supporting NiO on Al 2O 3-modified cordierite resulted in the formation of an active solid that having good catalytic activity in isopropanol conversion and CO oxidation by O 2. These two reactions were carried out at 150-350 and 200 °C, respectively. The results revealed that the catalyst containing 5% (w/w) NiO showed the highest activity in the alcohol conversion and acted as selective dehydration catalyst. The catalyst sample containing 20% NiO (w/w) exhibited a good activity in CO oxidation by O 2 which decreased progressively by increasing its calcination temperature within 350-600 °C. Al 2O 3-treated cordierite dissolved a portion of NiO in its lattice, increasing the calcination temperature within 350-600 °C increases the dissolution of NiO in the matrix of Al 2O 3-modified cordierite system. © El-Molla et al.