Structural elucidation of Cr₂O₃-Al₂O₃ catalyst: Synthesis & characterization

¹ Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Johor, Kampus Pasir Gudang, 81750 Masai, Johor, Malaysia.
² Advanced Biomaterials and Carbon Development, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia.

^* Corresponding author: nurha8558@uitm.edu.my

Abstract

The development of active, stable, and low-cost catalysts for efficient reactions is appealing but difficult. The objectives of this study are to synthesize Cr₂O₃-Al₂O₃ catalysts and analyze their physical properties using SEM, XRD, TGA-DTA, and FTIR. The impregnation method was used to create Cr₂O₃-Al₂O₃ catalysts with five different chromium oxide loadings (3wt%, 6wt%, 9wt%, 12wt%, and 15wt%). The physical properties of the catalysts were characterized using FTIR, SEM, BET, and TGA. The FTIR spectra and SEM images of the samples confirmed that Cr₂O₃ was successfully incorporated on Al₂O₃ support. TGA was used to evaluate the weight loss and thermal stability of the catalysts during the calcination process. The hydroxyl groups of alumina, as well as its water affinity, cause more mass loss when heated because water molecules are released. The addition of chromium oxide, on the other hand, alters thermal interactions, resulting in different mass loss behavior for chromium oxide alumina. The surface area changes seen by BET analysis gave insights into the structural flexibility of the catalyst across varied loading levels. The physical properties of synthesized catalysts demonstrated their ability to be utilized in a variety of catalytic reactions.