“Optimized wet-proofed CuO/Al2O3 catalysts for the oxidation of phenol solutions: Enhancing catalytic stability”

PAOLA MASSA; FERNANDO IVORRA; PATRICIA HAURE; ROSA FENOGLIO

CATALYSIS COMMUNICATIONS

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2009 vol. 10 p. 1706 - 1710

1566-7367

An optimized wet-proofed catalyst was prepared by successive immersion steps of conventional 37% CuO/c-Al2O3 samples in a polytetrafluorethylene fibres suspension. Conventional and hydrophobic catalysts were tested for the oxidation of phenol solutions (5 g/L), at 140 C and 7 atm of oxygen pressure, in a trickle bed reactor. For the conventional catalyst, phenol conversion decreased with reaction time. However, for the wet-proofed catalysts, phenol conversion levels remained almost constant with usage. The hydrophobic layer improved catalyst stability: prevented the formation of domains with cuprous species, minimized the solubilization of Cu2+ and the formation of bohmite phase during reaction.