Catalytic and catalytic photo-assisted dehydration of 2-propanol to form propene in gas-solid regime at atmospheric pressure and 80°C was carried out by using a Keggin heteropolyacid H3PW12O40 (PW12) supported on different oxides.
Binary materials have been prepared by impregnation of PW12 on different commercial and home prepared supports (TiO2, SiO2 or carbon nanotubes).
The supported Keggin PW12 species played a key role both for the catalytic and the photo-assisted catalytic reactions, due to their strong acidity and ability to form strong oxidant species under UV irradiation, respectively. The contemporary presence of heat and UV light improved the activity of almost all POM supported materials