The Role of Acid Sites in the Catalytic Performance of Tungsten Oxide during the Dehydration of Isopropyl and Methyl Alcohols

WO3 catalyst was prepared by thermal decomposition of ammonium metatungstate (AMT) in a static air atmosphere for 3h at 450, 550, 650 and 750℃. The techniques employed for characterization of the catalyst were TG, DTA, XRD, FTIR, N2-sorption measurements. The surface acidity of the catalyst was investigated by adsorption of pyridine and 2, 6-dimethyl pyridine. The catalytic properties of the catalyst were carried out for the dehydration of isopropyl and methyl alcohols. The results revealed that WO3 is more active toward isopropanol dehydration than methanol dehydration. Also reflect that the reaction mechanism and the yield of propene and dimethyl ether produced from dehydration of isopropyl and methyl alcohols are controlled by the strength of acid sites.