Effect of support modification on the characterization and catalytic activity of Mo/Al2O3 catalysts

Molybdenum catalysts (15 wt% MoO3 loading) supported on alumina, alumina-magnesia, and alumina-chromia were prepared via impregnation technique and studied for the reaction of methyl-cyclohexane dehydrogenation. The catalysts were evaluated by means of FT-IR, XRD, DSC, TPR, and N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. The results clarified that Mo/alumina-magnesia catalyst possesses small crystallite size and high surface area (240 m(2)/g) and is selective toward the formation of dehydrogenated product (96.5%). The yield to ring-opening products is higher on Mo/alumina-chromia catalyst due to its higher acidity and larger metal crystals, which favor the ring-opening reaction and lower metallic activity with selectivity toward ring-opening products (32%). (C) 2015 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics. All rights reserved.