Molecular Structures of WO3/Al2O3-TiO2 Catalysts Under Controlled Environment

Abstract

A series of WO3/Al2O3-TiO2 catalysts powders with titania-aluminamixed oxides synthesized by a sol-gel procedure were prepared bythe pore volume method. The tungsten content used in the sampleswas that needed to obtain a coverage of 2.8 W atoms/nm(2) calculatedon the basis of the support area. The samples were characterizedby FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopies under controlled atmosphere.The molecular structures of the supported W species at ambient (hydrated)and dehydrated conditions are presented. The insights obtained fromthese fundamental studies allow a better structural understandingof the surface tungsten oxide species and their transformations underdifferent environments.