Hydrated TiO2-SiO2 Catalyst for Thermal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing titanium dioxide-based photocatalysts and TiO2/SiO2 materials face challenges with thermal stability and catalytic activity, particularly at elevated temperatures, due to reduced specific surface areas and coverage of the catalytically active titanium dioxide surface by SiO2, which diminishes their photocatalytic properties.

Innovation Solution

A powdered catalyst material with a high TiO2/SiO2 weight ratio of at least 3 and less than 30, comprising hydrated titanium oxide and silicon dioxide, processed to maintain a specific surface area greater than 300 m2/g and an isoelectric point between 4.0 and 7.0, ensuring excellent thermal stability and catalytic activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If SiO2 is added to TiO2 to increase thermal stability, then thermal stability is improved, but the catalytically active titanium dioxide surface is covered with SiO2, which limits catalytic properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidcatalytic activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the SiO2 content to maintain a TiO2/SiO2 weight ratio of at least 3:1, ensuring that SiO2 provides thermal stability while TiO2 maintains sufficient surface area for catalytic activity. This optimal compositional parameter resolves the contradiction between thermal stability and catalytic activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system where TiO2 and SiO2 work synergistically. The composite structure allows SiO2 to provide thermal stability framework while TiO2 domains maintain catalytic functionality, achieving both thermal stability and catalytic activity through proper material composition and interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If thermal treatments such as hydrothermal treatments and/or calcination are applied to increase crystallinity, then crystallinity is improved, but the specific surface area of the hydroxy group content is reduced, which is unfavorable for catalytic applications

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecrystallinityVSAvoidspecific surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes thermal treatment parameters by limiting calcination temperature to below 500°C and controlling treatment duration, thereby achieving sufficient crystallinity for stability while preserving high specific surface area (>300 m2/g) necessary for catalytic activity. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between crystallinity and surface area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If pure titanium dioxide is used as a support material, then catalytic activity is maintained, but thermal stability is not good enough for hydrotreating applications at 400°C, which results in ageing effects and loss of catalytic activity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidthermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a TiO2-SiO2 composite where SiO2 provides the thermal stability framework necessary for high-temperature hydrotreating applications, while TiO2 maintains catalytic activity. The composite structure prevents the ageing effects that occur in pure TiO2 at 400°C, resolving the contradiction between catalytic activity and thermal stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The material achieves enhanced catalytic properties and thermal stability, maintaining high photocatalytic activity even at elevated temperatures, surpassing the limitations of prior art by preserving a sufficient surface area and catalytic activity.

Implementation Method 1

a process for preparing a catalyst material on a titanium oxide basis in powder form, in which an aqueous suspension of titanium oxide hydrate particles and/or hydrated titanium oxide is treated with a Si-containing solution, in particular a water glass solution, in which SiO2 is precipitated onto the surface of the titanium oxide particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Implementation Method 2

the powdered, inorganically post-processed titanium oxide has a combined content of at least 90 wt.-% of a hydrated titanium oxide and silicon dioxide, wherein the TiO2/SiO2 weight ratio is at least 3 and less than 30, wherein the remainder to 100 wt.-% is made up of bound water and traces of by-elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDrying: Desiccation

Data Source

PatentUS11628420B2Powdered titanium oxide, method for the production thereof, and use thereof
Publication Date: 2023.04.18 HUNTSMAN P&A GERMANY GMBH

AI summary

A powdered catalyst material on a titanium oxide basis. The powdered catalyst material includes a combined content of at least 90 wt.-% of a hydrated titanium oxide having the general formula TiO(2-x)(OH)2x, with 0<x≤1, (calculated as TiO2), and a silicon dioxide and hydrated precursors of the silicon dioxide (calculated as SiO2). A weight ratio of TiO2/SiO2, determined for TiO2 and SiO2 respectively, is at least 3 and less than 30. The wt.-% is based on a total weight of the catalyst material after the catalyst material has been dried at 105° C. for at least 2 hours. The powdered catalyst material has a specific surface area of >300 m2/g and an isoelectric point of from 4.0 to 7.0.