Synthesis and characterization of Ni-promoted zirconia pillared bentonite

The aim of this study was synthesis a catalyst applied to the cracking reaction and to characterize its physical-chemical properties. The catalyst is a zirconia-pillared bentonite with Nickel as a support metal (promotor). The catalyst is synthesized by pillarization bentonite with ZrOCl₂•8H₂O as a pillaring agent and then a calcination process for obtaining a zirconia pillared bentonit (ZrO₂-bentonite). To obtain a catalyst with good cracking and hydrogenation activity, nickel metal (2% w/w) impregnation was performed using Ni(NO₃)₂•6H₂O precursors. The next step is calcination and reduction to obtain a zirconia-pillared bentonite catalyst with Ni as a support metal (Ni/ZrO₂-bentonite). To know the physical-chemical properties was characterized by XRF, XRD, acid properties test using ammonia absorption technique, FTIR and BET. The characterization results with XRF showed an increase of nickel metal content after impregnation process of 6.45%. The acidity assay with ammonia absorption technique showed an increase in the acid properties of the catalyst sample after pillarization and impregnation of 7.580 mmol/g. Analysis of sample diffraction patterns with XRD shows typical montmorillonite peaks still visible but shifts toward an angle of 2θ < 5°. Analysis of functional groups of catalyst with FTIR showed characteristic for Brǿnsted acid at wave number 1635.64 cm-1 after impregnation with nickel metal. Surface area analysis results show an increase in specific surface area after pillarization and impregnation of 96.307 m²/g. (paper)