Indian Institute of Technology - Kanpur

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Characterization techniques helping in understanding

Al2O3 as a catalyst

Under the Subject of

Principles of Heterogeneous Catalysis (CHE 633 A)

Department: - M-Tech Chemical Engineering

SUBMITTED BY :-

SR.NO NAME ROLL NO

1 ADITYA CHOUMAL 22102007
2 ABHIMANYU SINGH 22102004
3 SARVESH CHAURASIYA 22102049

PROFESSOR GOUTAM DEO

(Faculty Guide)

Academic Year (2022-23)

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A. Role of characterization technique in improving the understanding of our catalyst Al2O3:
The characterization of many catalysts involves a knowledge of the physical as well as
chemical property identification of the catalyst. And understanding the physical nature and
structural relationship with reactant molecules or selectivity relationships during the catalytic
process by combining spectroscopic characterization techniques to determine catalytic activity
and selectivity and in turn the yield associated with it.

Use of different kinds of techniques gives us information about the following properties:

1. Morphology and structure: The study of morphology involves, various no of parameters

to be calculated like number of active sites, type of molecules, surface area and the
physical structure and nature of the catalyst.
2. Physical properties such as the large specific surface, developed pore structure, surface
sites availability and excellent heat stability and high mechanical strength(robustness)
3. Chemical properties: such as the good reaction activity, tendency to disperse the active
phase, selectively adhering the reactant molecules and acid-base properties etc. can be
used to study the chemical properties of Al2O3 catalyst.

For example: Alumina(Al2O3) has a very good catalytic activity and is thermally stable at high
temperatures and can be used for various reactions, it has good pore obtaining capabilities and
stable pores and, robustness in structure and porous structure, resistant to poison and thus
would be a superb catalyst.

B. Different characterization techniques:

1. Dielectric spectroscopy:
Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) are continuously demonstrating the functional characteristics in
devices, and was found that it is electrically active due to surface charge present. The physical
and chemical properties of Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) can be investigated and evaluated
dielectric properties that can be relatively high dielectric constant, and low dielectric loss
indicated the good optical quality of γ- Al2O3 can be ensured .

2. Transmission Electron Microscopy [TEM] :

The characterization of γ - Al2O3 can be investigated using high-resolution transmission
electron microscopy, where e- are projected and an image is created for visualization.

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3. Nanomaterial (NM) characterization:
Here two main parameters that are size and shape of our catalyst is studied. Which in turn will
help is in understanding the surface chemistry of the catalyst.

4. XRD (X-RAY DIFFRACTION):

The crystalline phase along with the purity of powder Al2O3 can be characterized by XRD
which gives information to analyse the crystallographic arrangement of the catalyst.

5. Morphology analysis:
Morphology analysis indicates that γ-Al2O3’s shape that are they in proper spherical shape or
not and also help in analysing the possible resolutions of unquantifiable problems.

B. How has the characterization techniques helped us in understanding the catalyst better?

The characterization techniques has helped us to get a better overview of any catalyst in
general and has provided us with better insights and understanding of a catalyst. Our primary
focus was on Al2O3 in the reaction of dehydration of ethyl alcohol. In the duration of course
we have studied various characterization techniques which in trim has provided us with a better
clarity on the subject matter of our catalyst. The catalyst Al2O3 has various forms of existence
and their corresponding activity, thus when we analyze its various forms we can deduce which
will be the best for our process and this can be aided by various characterization techniques.
We might also encounter in process difficulties some of which may be related to catalyst
deactivation and poisoning and thus we must check and verify whether it is permanent
deactivation or temporary, and thereafter take steps to curb it or rectify it.

The catalyst surface is of prime importance as it has the maximum available surface area and
that too very easily to the reactant moiety, this reactant moiety in trim will adhere to the closest
and easily available sites, thus surface plays a great role in doing so, this can be analyzed by
surface chemisorption, SEM, TEM and various other methodologies such as titration and many
more. This would in turn help in studying the chemical reaction better and hence help us to
modify and enhance the rate associated with it, surface characterization has also opened the
avenue of designing the reactor and placement of catalyst in the reactor for maximum activity
and also model the shape of catalyst which in turn will give maximum activity.

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 Source: research gate net publications//adhesion phenomenon//carbon steel

This image shows how the surface actually is how the reactant will adhere onto the surface.

For our reaction per say there is requirement of 2 active sites on the surface near to one another
so that the oxygen molecule of ethanol and waster adheres and there occurs removal of water
molecule and hence we obtain a dehydrated molecule. The reaction conditions should also be
such that it does not hinder the activity of catalyst and its activity remains intact throughout the
process. Various in-situ operando studies can be carried out like Raman spectroscopy which
would also ensure the reaction mechanism and its operational behavior during an ongoing
reaction.

On a broader sense the doping of catalyst could also improve the surface area and availability
of the catalyst and would thus result in better activity if the catalyst which can only be verified
by the characterization techniques and thus would help us in getting a better overview of our
catalyst.

C. References:-

[1] Leofanti G, Tozzola G, Padovan M, Petrini G, Bordiga S, Zecchina A. Catalyst

characterization: characterization techniques. Catalysis today. 1997 Feb 28;34(3-4):307-27.

[2] I. L. C. Buurmans, J. Ruiz-Martinez, W. V. Knowles, D. van der Beek, J. A. Bergwerff,

E. T. C. Vogt and B. M. Weckhuysen, Nat. Chem., 2011, 3, 862–867

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