Abstract
Alumina catalysts A1, A2 and A3 calcined at 873 K, 973 K and 1073 K, respectively, were prepared. The textural properties (surface area and porosity) of these catalysts were determined from nitrogen adsorption studies at 77 K. The acidity (acid amount, acid strength and surface acid density) was determined from the thermal desorption of chemisorbed pyridine. The catalysts were employed in the conversion of 1-butanol at 473–548 K.
The surface area and total pore volume decreased and the mean pore radius increased as the calcination temperature increased, while the amount of acid and the surface acid density also depended on the calcination temperature. The conversion of 1-butanol gave 1-butene and dibutyl ether as dehydration products and 2-butenes and isobutene as isomerization products. The acid sites on the alumina catalysts were of different strength, thereby explaining the bifunctionality of these catalysts. The reaction temperature and the flow rate of carrier gas contributed to the performance of alumina catalysts towards the conversion of 1-butanol, and possibly of other alcohols.