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Catalysis : an Integrated Approach to Homogeneous ...

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8 - PREPARATION OF CATALYST SUPPORTS AND ZEOLITES 313<br />

The silica gels obtained in this way are mixed with a solution of the salts<br />

formed by the neutralization of the alkali by the acid (usually a sodium sulphate<br />

solution). These salts c<strong>an</strong> be removed by filtering <strong>an</strong>d washing the gel. The silica gel<br />

obtained in this way, in which the pores are filled with water, is called the aquagel.<br />

From this a xerogel is obtained when the water is removed by evaporation.<br />

The structure of the xerogel will be compressed <strong>an</strong>d the porosity reduced at<br />

least <strong>to</strong> some degree by the surface tension forces as the water is removed. An<br />

aerogel is a special type of xerogel from which the liquid has been removed in such<br />

a way as <strong>to</strong> prevent <strong>an</strong>y collapse or ch<strong>an</strong>ge in the structure as liquid is removed.<br />

Specifically, this is done by heating the liquid-filled gel, usually <strong>an</strong> alcogel, in <strong>an</strong><br />

au<strong>to</strong>clave <strong>to</strong> above the critical point of the liquid, so that there is no liquid-vapour<br />

interface, <strong>an</strong>d releasing the vapour.<br />

All silicas dried from water at less th<strong>an</strong> 150°C have a fully hydroxylated<br />

surface in which the surface structure terminates in sil<strong>an</strong>ol groups. This is readily<br />

wettable by water <strong>an</strong>d water-soluble org<strong>an</strong>ic molecules.<br />

According <strong>to</strong> Bohm the concentration of &-OH groups on the silica surface is<br />

rather const<strong>an</strong>t, at a value of 6.6 OH groups per run2 [4].<br />

Commercial silica gels for use as catalyst bases are, for example, produced by<br />

Akzochemie <strong>an</strong>d Davison, having specific surface areas between 100 <strong>an</strong>d 800<br />

m2/g <strong>an</strong>d pore volumes between 0.3 <strong>an</strong>d 2.0 ml/g. These silica gels contain as<br />

main impurities S (sulphate), Na, Al, Fe <strong>an</strong>d Ti.<br />

8.2.2 Silica Precipitation from Vapour: Pyrogenic Silica<br />

Very pure silica c<strong>an</strong> be obtained by the oxidation or hydroxylation of purified<br />

Sic14 at high temperature.<br />

Sic14 + 0 2 -+ SiO;! + 2C12<br />

Sic14 c<strong>an</strong> be burned in oxygen <strong>to</strong> yield SiOz <strong>an</strong>d C12 but simpler equipment c<strong>an</strong><br />

be used when Sic14 is mixed with CH4 <strong>an</strong>d burned <strong>to</strong> produce fine SiO2 <strong>an</strong>d HC1.<br />

Sic14 + CH4 + 202 + SiOz + CO2 + 4HC1<br />

The silicas made by this process are commonly known by their trademarks,<br />

‘Aerosil’ produced by Degussa in Europe, <strong>an</strong>d ‘Cabosil’ produced by Cabot in<br />

America.

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