Copper and chromium oxide nanocomposites supported on SBA-15 silica as catalysts for ethylacetate combustion: Effect of mesoporous structure and metal oxide composition

Copper and chromium oxide nanocomposite materials with different Cu/Cr ratio are prepared by deposition on silica host matrices with different textural properties and characterized by XRD, nitrogen physisorption, UV–Vis, FTIR, XPS and TPR-TG. Their catalytic behavior in ethylacetate total oxidation was also studied. A complex effect of Cu/Cr ratio, textural characteristics of the support and reaction medium on the phase composition of the supported active phase was found. Different mechanisms of regulation of loaded metal oxides dispersion depending on the support peculiarities were discussed. The relation between the phase composition and the catalytic properties of various bi-component materials was studied.

CuCrO4 species are predominantly formed in the case of SBA-15 based materials and it reflects on their better catalytic activity and high selectivity to partial oxidation of ethylacetate. The formation of CuCr2O4 species is typical for SiO2 based materials and contributes to their higher selectivity of ethylacetate oxidation to CO2.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► The composition of Cu–Cr materials is affected by Cu/Cr ratio and texture of the support.
► Higher dispersion of metal oxide species is found for the bi-component materials.
► CuCrO4 species forms on SBA-15 based materials and lead to high catalytic activity.
► CuCr2O4 species forms on SiO2 based materials and provide higher selectivity to CO2.