Characterization of ZrO2-acid activated montmorillonite doped with Cu, Ni or Mn ions

A series of samples were prepared from montmorillonite activated with hydrochloric acid and intercalated with zirconium oligocations. The active material was ions of nickel, copper and manganese, adsorbed from water solutions of appropriate nitrates. Investigated were the structure, texture, acidity and properties of the active material; the research methods were X-ray diffraction (XRD), low temperature argon adsorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The materials under investigation are porous, with domination of micropores (for catalysts with Ni) and mesopores (for catalysts with Cu). When the active material had been introduced, the acidity of the catalysts increased. The introduced ions occurred, respectively, as follows: nickel in Ni(OH)2, copper in CuO and manganese in MnO, Mn3O4 or Mn2O3. Nickel and copper ions were distributed on external surfaces of grain carriers, whereas manganese was introduced externally (co-impregnation with nickel) or into deeper layers of grain carriers (co-impregnation with Cu).