Acidity study of X zeolites modified by nickel and/or chromium cations in the case of binary and ternary exchanges

A series of Ni(x)-, Cr(x) and CrNi(x)-exchanged X zeolites (x being the ion-exchange degree) was prepared and characterised by nitrogen adsorption, XRD, DTA/TGA and pyridine adsorption–desorption followed by IR spectroscopy. The objective is mainly to estimate quantitatively the number, strength and nature of acid sites and their dependence on the type of cation and its exchange level. A comparison between the binary and ternary exchanges was also established. The crystallinity and micropore volume losses were more significant for Cr(x)X and CrNi(x)X. The concentration of Lewis acid sites decreases with increasing the exchange degree for Cr(x)X and Ni(x)X, while it increases up to 39% for CrNi(x)X. An increase of the concentration of Brønsted sites was obtained. The fact that both the Lewis and Brønsted acidities markedly decrease between 423 and 623 K, proves that the available acid sites are overall weak. The pyridine desorption from the protonic sites is easier with CrNi(39)X than with Cr(39)X and Ni(40)X at 623 K, indicating a decrease in the strength in the case of ternary exchange.

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► Transition metal (Ni2+ and/or Cr3+)-modified X zeolites were prepared by ion exchange.
► The samples were characterised by N2 adsorption, XRD, DTA/TGA and pyridine adsorption.
► A comparison between the binary and ternary exchanges was established.
► An increase of the concentration of Brønsted sites was obtained.
► The pyridine desorption from protonic sites is easier in the case of ternary exchange.