FEATURES OF THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF A NEW PRECURSOR FOR Mg–Zr MIXED OXIDE PREPARATION

Abstract

A new peroxo-method for Mg–Zr mixed oxide preparation has been applied. It has been established that this precursor after being heated up to 700 ºC is in the form of poorly crystalline Mg–Zr oxide. Thermal and X-ray diffractional analyses have shown that the oxide phase is formed directly from amorphous peroxocomplex, avoiding formation of intermediate Mg(OH)₂ phase. The peroxocomplex-mediated route allows achieving high degree of molecular homogeneity in the mixed oxide and high distribution of the active sites due to its low crystallinity. The prepared material is a potential catalyst for aldol condensation reaction.