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

Series of ZrO 2 supported on the different kinds of SiO 2 carriers were applied in the reaction of 1, 3-butadiene formation from ethanol and acetaldehyde. ZrO 2 /Nano-SiO 2 performed the best performance with the 1, 3-butadiene selectivity 91.43% and the total conversation 52.39%. Prepared catalysts were characterized by N 2 adsorption–desorption, TEM, XRD, temperature-programmed desorption of NH 3 and CO 2 , FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine and CO 2 , 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.