Characterization and Catalytic Performance of Niobic Acid Dispersed over Titanium Silicalite

Abstract

Niobic acid,Nb2O5⋅nH2O, has been supported on the titanium silicalite by impregnation method. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared, and ultra-violet—visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, temperature programmed reduction, pyridine adsorption, and field emission scanning electron microscopy techniques. It was demonstrated that the tetrahedral titanium species still retained after impregnation of niobic acid. The results revealed that niobium species interacted with hydroxyl groups on the surface of TS-1. The niobium species in the catalysts are predominantly polymerized niobium oxides species or bulk niobium oxide with the octahedral structure. All catalysts showed both Brønsted and Lewis acid sites. The catalysts have been tested for epoxidation of 1-octene with aqueous hydrogen peroxide. It was found that the presence of niobic acid in the catalysts enhanced the rate of the formation of epoxide at the initial reaction time. Diol as a side product was also observed due to the acidic properties of the catalysts.