Characterization of carbon deposits on coked lithium phosphate catalysts for the rearrangement of propylene oxide

Basic lithium phosphate catalysts for the rearrangement of propylene oxide can be easily deactivated due to carbon deposits. In-situ DRIFTS, TG-DTG, NMR and XPS were used to study carbon deposits. Results showed that carbon deposits were mainly in the form of CxHy and CxHyO, which could be decomposed in a mixture of N-2 and O-2 atmosphere at higher than 300 degrees C or in N-2 atmosphere near 500 degrees C. A shorter period of time was needed in the atmosphere containing O-2. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.