THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ZNO PRECURSORS ON THE CATALYTIC DECOMPOSITIONOF ETHANOL

Three different samples of ZnO were prepared from the thermal decompos ition, at 500 degrees C in N-2, of three precursors, i.e. Zn(CH3CO2)(2 ) . 2H(2)O, Zn-3(C6H5O7)(2) . 2H(2)O and Zn(NO3)(2) . 6H(2)O. These ox ide samples were characterized by XRD and IR spectroscopy and their su rface area were calculated using the BET method. The excess surface ox ygen for each oxide was determined using the hydrazine method. Also, t he basicity of such oxides were estimated thermogravimetrically using formic acid adsorption method. The catalytic decomposition of ethanol, as a test reaction, was studied over ZnO samples in a flow system. Et hylene and acetaldehyde were identified as the reaction products using gas chromatography. The activation energy for the decomposition proce ss of ethanol over ZnO samples was calculated as approximate to 43 kJ mol(-1). Reaction mechanisms for the formation of ethylene and acetald ehyde as the decomposition products of ethanol are given.