Catalysis Letters, Vol.130, No.3-4, 588-592, 2009
Nature, Environment and Quantification of Titanium Species in TiSiBEA Zeolites Investigated by XRD, NMR, DR UV-Vis and XPS
Ti(x)SiBEA zeolites (x = 1.5, 3.2 and 5.8 Ti wt%) are prepared by a two-step postsynthesis method involving (1) dealumination of TEABEA zeolite by nitric acid leading to nests of SiO-H groups in vacant T-atom sites and (2) incorporation of Ti into SiBEA zeolite by reacting TiCl4 vapor with those silanol groups. The incorporation of Ti into the SiBEA framework is evidenced by XRD, Si-29 MAS NMR, H-1-Si-29 CP MAS NMR and H-1 MAS NMR. DR UV-vis and XPS investigations show that, for low Ti content, mainly framework tetrahedral Ti(IV) ions are present in TixSiBEA zeolites. On the basis of XPS data, the quantification of framework tetrahedral Ti(IV) and framework and/or extra-framework octahedral Ti(IV) ions is followed as a function of Ti content.