New insights into the development of Brønsted acidity of niobic acid

The development of Brønsted acidity and the relationship between acidity, catalytic performance and structure of niobium oxide were investigated for a series of samples prepared by calcination of niobic acid at temperatures between 423 and 823 K. All solids were active for propan-2-ol dehydration. The Brønsted acidity was monitored by adsorption of lutidine and CO followed by FT-IR. Low temperature CO adsorption measurements showed that all solids exhibit essentially the same medium Brønsted acid strength. A direct relationship between the abundance of Brønsted acid sites monitored by lutidine adsorption followed by desorption at 523 K and propan-2-ol dehydration activity was observed.

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► Catalysts: niobic acid calcined at different temperatures.
► Acid catalyzed reaction test: propanol dehydration activity.
► Brønsted acidity as a function of the calcination temperature.
► All solids exhibit similar medium Brønsted acid strength.
► Direct relationship between the abundance of Brønsted acid sites and activity.