Park, H; Kim, JK; Hong, U; Lee, Y; Choi, JHo; Bang, Y; Song, I
Activated carbon aerogel (ACA) was prepared by a chemical activation of carbon aerogel using phosphoric acid (H3PO4). Activated carbon aerogel bearing sulfonic acid (ACA-SO3H), Cs 2.5H0.5PW12O40-impregnated activated carbon aerogel (Cs2.5H0.5PW12O 40/ACA), and Cs2.5H0.5PW12O 40-impregnated activated carbon aerogel bearing sulfonic acid (Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40/ACA-SO 3H) were prepared in order to provide acid sites to ACA. Palladium catalysts were then supported on ACA, ACA-SO3H, Cs 2.5H0.5PW12O40/ACA, and Cs 2.5H0.5PW12O40/ACA-SO3H by an incipient wetness impregnation method. The prepared Pd/ACA, Pd/ACA-SO 3H, Pd/Cs2.5H0.5PW12O 40/ACA, and Pd/Cs2.5H0.5PW12O 40/ACA-SO3H catalysts were applied to the decomposition of 1,3-diphenoxybenzene. 1,3-Diphenoxybenzene was used as a trimeric lignin model compound for representing C-O bond in lignin. Cyclohexanol, benzene, and phenol were mainly produced by the decomposition of 1,3-diphenoxybenzene. 4-Phenoxyphenol was also produced as an intermediate by the decomposition of 1,3-diphenoxybenzene. Conversion of 1,3-diphenoxybenzene and total yield for main products (cyclohexanol, benzene, and phenol) increased with increasing acidity of the catalysts. Among the catalysts tested, Pd/Cs2.5H 0.5PW12O40/ACA-SO3H with the largest acidity showed the highest conversion of 1,3-diphenoxybenzene and total yield for main products. Pd/Cs2.5H0.5PW12O 40/ACA-SO3H also served as a stable and reusable catalyst in the decomposition of 1,3-diphenoxybenzene. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.