Alkylation catalysis over the WO₃/ZrO₂ solid acid catalyst with hierarchically porous structure

Series of WO₃/ZrO₂ solid acid catalysts with hierarchically porous structure were prepared by the one-pot hydrothermal method involving templating from a composite surfactant. The effect of calcination temperatures of the prepared catalysts on the acid strength was studied as well as the total amount of acidity. The reaction of benzene alkylation with 1-dodecene was chosen as model acid catalysis. The results indicated that the acid strength and the total amount of acidity of the prepared catalysts increased with increasing of surface area and crystallization of t-ZrO₂. Such catalyst shows a strong catalytic activity of the alkylation, and both the alkylation conversion and selectivity increase with acid strength. Herein, the catalyst sample calcined at 450°C for 5 h has the highest catalytic activity and selectivity.