Conversion of Ethanol and Acetaldehyde to 1, 3-Butadiene Catalyzed by Zr–Si Materials

Series of ZrO2 supported on the different kinds of SiO2 carriers were applied in the reaction of 1, 3-butadiene formation from ethanol and acetaldehyde. ZrO2/Nano-SiO2 performed the best performance with the 1, 3-butadiene selectivity 91.43% and the total conversation 52.39%. Prepared catalysts were characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption, TEM, XRD, temperature-programmed desorption of NH3 and CO2, FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine and CO2, Raman XPS. The results show that the weak Lewis acid and basic sites are appropriate for BD formation. Furthermore, more and balance acid-basic sites are rather important for the reaction of ethanol and acetaldehyde conversion to BD.