Research Information System
Materials Chemistry and Physics, vol.358, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
In this study, titanium-pillared bentonite (Ti-PB) was synthesized from raw bentonite obtained from the Hançılı region (Middle Anatolia). Ti-PB was further modified with Mn–Cu, Ce–Mn–Cu, Ce–Cu, and Ce–Fe by combining cation exchange and incipient wetness impregnation, followed by thermal treatment. N2 physisorption, XRD, FTIR, TGA/DTA, XPS, SEM, and TEM, were used to evaluate the physicochemical and catalytic properties. All synthesized Ti-PB samples exhibited the anatase TiO2 phase. Pillaring led to a remarkable improvement in the textural properties. The Ti-PB sample calcined at 500 °C showed d 001 value of 4.40 nm, the specific BET surface area of 346 m2 g−1, and a micropore volume of 0.092 cm3g-1. Subsequent impregnation with Ce, Fe, Cu, and Mn caused only slight changes in surface area. TiO2 pillaring and subsequent metal doping produced a nearly uniform morphology. Compared with the Ti-PB support, catalysts impregnated with Mn, Cu, Fe, or Ce exhibited enhanced thermal stability at high temperatures. Cu impregnation promoted Lewis acidity, whereas Ce–Fe and Ce–Cu increased Brønsted acidity. Side reactions, such as ethylene dehydration and deep oxidation to CO2 were inhibited by Mn-based catalysts, which were the most effective in suppressing these pathways at elevated temperatures. This study identifies Cuw@Ti-PB, (Cu–Mn)w@Ti-PB and (Ce–Cu–Mn)w@Ti-PB as highly effective, stable, and selective heterogeneous catalysts for the selective oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde. The (Cu–Mn)w@Ti-PB catalyst showed the best catalytic performance, achieving a maximum ethanol conversion of 80% and an acetaldehyde selectivity of 88% at 300 °C.