Catalytic decomposition of 2-propanol on Co<inf>1+x</inf>Al<inf>2-x</inf>O<inf>4</inf> spinel system

Catalytic activity of the Co1+xAl2-xO4(0<x<1) solid solution system has been evaluated using decomposition of 2-propanol as test reaction. The end members (with x = 0 and 1) showed exclusively dehydration and dehydrogenation activities, respectively. Selectivity for dehydrogenation increased with increase in x. Dehydration activity was found to occur due to the presence of acid centers as determined by n-butyl amine titration and pyridine poisoning experiments. Dehydrogenation activity was found to be caused by Co3+ ions. The surface concentrations of cobalt were evaluated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and these were correlated with the catalytic activity. © 1994 J.C. Baltzer AG, Science Publishers.