Surface and Catalytic Properties of Yttrium Oxide: Evidence from Infrared Spectroscopy

Surface and catalytic properties of Y2O3catalysts generated from different inorganic precursors were investigated by the reactions of pyridine and 2-propanol using IR-spectroscopy. Adsorption and reaction studies of pyridine on Y2O3catalysts at different temperatures indicated that, Y2O3exposes Bronsted acid, Lewis acid, and basic sites. The type and strength of these sites are controlled by the origin of the catalyst and pretreatment temperature. The qualitative and quantitative results of 2-propanol revealed that 2-propanol is irreversible adsorbed at 25°C via different surface species. The type, concentration, and reactivity of these species are affected by the origin of the Y2O3catalyst.