Incorporation of zirconium in medium-pore aluminophosphate molecular sieves with AFO framework

Zirconium substituted medium pore microporous aluminophosphate molecular sieve ZrAPO-41 was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis under autogenous pressure. The formation of the pure phase was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The thermal behaviour of the material was investigated by carrying out thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA).The zirconium environment was studied by magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy which suggests incorporation of zirconium into the framework. UV–Visible diffuse reflectance study also supports the claim. The temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of ammonia reveals that the acidity of ZrAPO-41 samples is higher than that of pure AlPO4-41. The catalytic activity of the samples was investigated through phenol hydroxylation reaction. The result show higher catalytic activity for ZrAPO-41 samples compared to AlPO4-41.

Zirconium substituted medium pore microporous aluminophosphate molecular sieve ZrAPO-41 was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis under autogenous pressure. The materials have been characterized by XRD, SEM, DTA-TGA, MAS NMR, UV–Visible diffused reflectance spectroscopy and TPD of ammonia. The catalytic activity of the samples was investigated through phenol hydroxylation reaction.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► We are reporting synthesis, characterization and catalytic application of zirconium substituted medium pore aluminoiphosphate molecular sieve with AFO framework ZrAPO-41.
► The investigation reveals that it is possible to incorporate zirconium into the AFO framework of aluminophosphate molecular sieve.
► Such incorporation increases the catalytic activity of the aluminophosphate molecular sieve in terms of phenol hydroxylation.