Naphthalene hydrogenation using Rh/Fe₂O₃-TiO₂ magnetic catalysts

Two magnetic catalysts were synthesized by a modification route and applied into the naphthalene hydrogenation at 553 K. For this propose, Fe₂O₃-TiO₂ support and Rh/Fe₂O₃-TiO₂ catalyst were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂-physisorption, Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), Temperature Programmed Reduction of hydrogen (TPR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques. Based on the results, a multiple heterojunction was formed with a stick and spherical particles, where the morphology produced crystallite-size and pore-average size in the interval from 9 nm to 23 nm and 15 nm, respectively. The Rh/Fe₂O₃-TiO₂ catalyst was selective in trans-decalin and increased its performance from 80 to 100% of conversion at 1 h. After six reactions cycles, this catalyst reached percentages conversion close to 85%. This phenomenon was promoted by 1) the presence of Rh and, 2) the adsorption of hydrogen in the surface of TiO₂, which enabled Fe³⁺ sites and thus increasing the catalytic effect.