Exceptional dispersion of high loaded Fe oxide on ceramic matrixes : characterization and activity in acid reactions

In the present work, amorphous catalysts containing nanosized Fe oxide phase at wide concentration (from 4 to 24 mass %) and high dispersion on ceramic oxides of different nature and characteristics (silica, alumina, niobia, zirconia, and mixed compositions), were synthesized and characterized. The influence of the support, Fe-precursor, and preparative methodology on the surface properties, Fe-dispersion, and catalytic activity of the samples has been investigated and rationalized with the final aim of better controlling the catalytic properties of the studied samples. The catalytic materials exhibited excellent activity in the liquid phase isomerization and acylation reactions.