Alkali and Alkaline Earth Cation-Decorated TiO2 Nanotube-Supported Rh Catalysts for Vinyl Acetate Hydroformylation

Abstract

Alkali and alkaline earth cation-decorated TiO2 nanotube (TNT)-supported rhodium catalysts were synthesized and characterized by inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer, surface characterization analyzer, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transforming infrared spectrum, respectively. Their catalytic performances were evaluated by the hydroformylation of vinyl acetate. Results showed that both the conversion rate of vinyl acetate and selectivity for aldehyde were improved after Rh/TNTs were modified by alkali or alkali-earth cations. Such improved selectivity for aldehyde might be attributed to the presence of alkali or alkaline earth cations which enhanced CO adsorption, while the high conversion rate of vinyl acetate was likely due to the proper interaction of Lewis acid–base between cations modified TNTs and vinyl acetate.