Influence of the support of copper catalysts on activity and 1,2-dichloroethane selectivity in ethylene oxychlorination

Abstract

<p>Five different support materials were modified with 5 wt.% Cu, using an evaporation impregnation method. The synthesized CuCl₂/γ-Al₂O₃, CuCl₂/TiO₂ (Hombikat), CuCl₂/TiO₂ (Alfa Aesar), CuCl₂/SiO₂ and CuCl₂/H-Beta-25 materials were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive Xray microanalysis, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and CO₂-temperature programmed desorption. The physical-chemical characterization was correlated with catalytic activity, stability and selectivity in the ethylene oxychlorination. It was found that γ-Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ support materials demonstrate very good activity and 1,2dichloroethane selectivity compare to other catalysts. Zeolite H-Beta-25 and SiO₂ support materials proved to be unusable for this reaction.</p>