Tungsten-Titanium pillared clay catalyst: Preparation, characterization and catalytic activity

Abstract

Tungsten-Titanium pillared clay and sulfated-Titanium pillared clay catalysts were
prepared and characterized by different techniques: X-ray diffraction, BET surface area - pore
volume measurements, chemical analysis, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis,
temperature programmed reduction by hydrogen then studied for n-hexane isomerisation
reaction. The simultaneous addition of both tungsten and titanium solutions to the clay
suspension induces an increase of the basal spacing leading to a well defined structure of the
WTi-pillared clay. Better micro porosity but lower specific surface areas at high temperature
were observed on WTi-pillared clay compared to Ti-pillared clays prepared in presence or
absence of sulfate. All the investigated materials are active in the n-hexane isomerisation
reaction. Furthermore the WTi-pillared clay catalyst displays the highest selectivity towards
mono-ramified isomers products.