Effects of thermal treatment and fluoride ion doping on surface and catalytic properties of NiO–ZrO₂ catalysts

ZrO₂ and a series of NiO/ZrO₂ hydrogels (5 to 25 wt.% NiO) were co-precipitated with the aid of NaOH–Na₂C₂O₄ solution. Two fluorinated hydrogels were also prepared by wet impregnation method. The samples were calcined in the temperature range of 550 to 850 °C. The surface properties of the samples were determined using DTA, XRD and nitrogen adsorption at −196 °C. The conversion of isopropanol was tested using microcatalytic pulse technique. DTA measurements showed that the addition of nickel oxide to zirconia influences the phase transition of ZrO₂. XRD revealed that the tetragonal phase was formed at T ⩽ 650 °C, while a biphasic mixture was obtained at T ⩾ 750 °C. No spinel structure was detected by both DTA and XRD techniques and only traces of cubic NiO were detected for the samples containing ⩾ 15 wt.% nickel oxide and calcined at T ⩾ 750 °C. Significant changes in texture, surface acidity and catalytic activity were found as a result of the effects of thermal treatment and chemical composition. Incorporation of fluoride ions greatly increased the surface acidity and consequently enhanced the dehydration activity. It has been found that dehydration activity is related to the amount of surface acidity while the dehydrogenation of this alcohol is sensitive to NiO content.