Preformed precursor of microporous aluminophosphate coating on mesoporous SBA-15: Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic property for selective O-methylation of catechol

The synthesis of mesoporous SBA-15 coated with the preformed precursor of microporous aluminophosphate (AlPO) has been reported. The physicochemical properties of the coated samples were investigated by using XRD, FT-IR, N2-adsorption, ICP, 29Si MAS NMR, NH3-TPD and CO2-TPD. The characterization results suggest that the nanometer-scaled zeolite units are present on the wall surface of SBA-15, thus bringing the weak acid–base characteristics to the resulting mesoporous materials, and that the acid–base properties of these materials can be modified by the aging treatment in glycol. Moreover, vapor-phase O-methylation of catechol with methanol has been studied on these coated samples as catalysts. It is found that the coated sample bearing suitable weak acid–base sites exhibits the relatively high activity and selectivity to guaiacol.

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