Synthesis, characterization and insights into stable and well organized hexagonal mesoporous zinc-doped alumina as promising metathesis catalysts carrier

Abstract

A series of highly ordered hexagonal mesoporous alumina and zinc-modified mesoporous alumina samples are synthesized via a sol–gel method through an evaporation-induced self-assembly process using Pluronic F127 as nonionic templating agent and several aluminum precursors. The process was mediated using several carboxylic acids along with hydrochloric acid in ethanol. Successful impregnation of ZnCl₂ was achieved while maintaining the ordered structure. The surface and textural properties of the materials were investigated. N₂-physisorption analysis revealed a BET surface area of 394 m² g⁻¹ and a pore volume around 0.55 cm³ g⁻¹. Moreover, small-angle XRD diffraction patterns highlighted the well-organized hexagonal structure even upon the incorporation of zinc chloride. The organized-structure arrangement was further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The Zn/Al composition of the final materials was confirmed by EDX and XPS analysis, and the zinc amount incorporated was analyzed by ICP. Furthermore, the surface modification with zinc chloride impregnation was analyzed by XPS, ¹H and ²⁷Al MAS-NMR and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. In addition, the effects of synthesis conditions and the mechanism of the mesostructure formation were explored. The catalytic activity of several methyltrioxorhenium (MTO)-based catalysts supported on these hexagonal mesoporous alumina materials was tested for methyl oleate self-metathesis. The results showed improved kinetics using hexagonal alumina in comparison to those using wormhole-like alumina counterparts. This behavior could be attributed to better mass transfer features of hexagonal mesoporous alumina. The prepared materials with desirable pore size and structure are suitable candidates as catalyst supports for metathesis of bulky functionalized olefins and other catalytic transformations due to their enhanced Lewis acidity and more uniform pore networks favoring enhanced and selective mass transfer phenomena.