Preparation and characterization of carbon based acid catalysts for the dehydration of 2-propanol

The catalytic conversion of 2-propanol on carbon based acid catalysts obtained by chemical activation of lignocellulosic waste with H 3PO 4 was investigated. The carbon acid catalysts were prepared in a single step, without the need for incorporating acid surface groups in a complementary step by chemical oxidation of the carbon surface. The porous structure was characterized by N 2 and CO 2 adsorption, showing a strong dependence on the impregnation ratio. The surface chemistry was studied by XPS and TPD. A significant amount of phosphorus remains on the catalysts surface, as phosphate and/or polyphosphate esters, stable at relatively high temperature (