Ternary composites for glycerol conversion: The influence of structural and textural properties on catalytic activity

Abstract Ternary composites were prepared and evaluated regarding their catalytic performance for the glycerol dehydration. The results of XRD and Raman spectroscopy revealed that the nanoparticles that were obtained contained phases such as CeO 2 –ZrO 2 , CeO 2 , NiO, Co 3 O 4 , and Al 2 O 3 dispersed on SiO 2 . The solids possessing elevated textural properties with basic and acidic sites were active in the conversion of glycerol. The mixed CeO 2 –ZrO 2 and Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles of the ternary composite was stabilised by silica and favoured glycerol conversion and selectivity to 1-hydroxyacetone and acrolein due to the stronger resistance to the phase transformations, when compared to other solids that had a high acidity and were quickly deactivated in the reaction media. Variations of the space velocity and the contact time defined the optimal conditions for glycerol conversion and acrolein selectivity.