A simple method for the preparation of active Ti beta zeolite catalysts

Titanium modified beta zeolite (Ox-Ti-P) was prepared by treating aluminum containing beta zeolite (Na-K-, NH4- or H-form) with ammonium titanyl oxalate solutions of different concentrations. The obtained catalysts were characterized by atomic absorption, XRD, IR, UV-Vis and XPS. The incorporation of Ti into the zeolite framework was evidenced by (i) the increase in the [302] interplanar d-spacing, (ii) the increase in the intensity of the 960 cm(-1) IR band, (iii) the presence of an absorption band at 220 nm and the absence of absorption band due to TiO2 in UV-Vis, (iv) the high binding energy of Ti 2P(3/2) (459.9 eV) and (v) the catalytic activity in epoxidation reactions. The amount of Ti in the samples was found to depend on the concentration of ammonium titanyl oxalate solutions and also on the nature of the counter-cations of the parent beta zeolite.