Infrared Spectroscopic Studies of the Formation and Catalytic Activity of Nd2O3

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Abstract
Nd2O3 catalyst was obtained as a final product of the thermal decomposition of Nd(CH3COO)3·2H2O. The decomposition processes up to 800 °C were characterized by means of TG, DTA, XRD, and IR spectroscopy of the gas and solid phase products. The activation energy values were determined non-isothermally for thermal events involved in the decomposition course. The results indicate that Nd(AcO)3 is completely decomposed to Nd2O3 at 670 °C through five different intermediates; Nd(OH)(CH3COO)2 at 310 °C, NdO(CH3COO) at 320 °C, Nd2(CO3)3 at 350 °C, Nd2O(CO3)2 at 385 °C, and Nd2O2(CO3) at 410 °C. The oxide, Nd2O3, obtained at 800 °C possesses higher surface area (30 m2 g−1) than that obtained at 1000 °C (10 m2 g−1). Thus, the oxide obtained at 800 °C was tested qualitatively and quantitatively as a catalyst towards the decomposition of 2-propanol at 100—400 °C by IR-spectroscopy. The results indicate that Nd2O3 catalyses 2-propanol dehydrogenation (forming acetone) at < 300 °C and dehydration (forming propene) at > 250 °C. At > 350°C, acetone was involved in a secondary surface reaction, presumably with the surface hydroxyl groups, to give CH4 and CO2 in the gas phase.

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