Acid-base properties of binary oxide catalysts of alumina rare earth oxides

Binary oxides of aluminium with rare earths like Pr, Nd, Sm and Eu have been prepared by coprecipitation using NH3 from corresponding nitrates. Surface characteristics and acid-base properties have been determined by DTA, SEM, ESCA, MAS(27)AINMR, IR and titrimetric methods. Electronegativity of the rare earth oxide influences the acidity and basicity of the binary oxide. Both Bronsted and Lewis acid sites are observed on catalyst surface. Higher number of Lewis acid sites are observed on Al2O3-Nd2O3 surface.