Preformed precursor of microporous aluminophosphate coating on mesoporous SBA-15: synthesis, characterization, and catalytic property for selective O-methylation of catechol.

The synthesis of mesoporous SBA-15 coated with the preformed precursor of microporous aluminophosphate (AlPO) has been reported. The physicochemical properties of the coated samples were investigated by using XRD, FT-IR, N(2)-adsorption, ICP, (29)Si MAS NMR, NH(3)-TPD and CO(2)-TPD. The characterization results suggest that the nanometer-scaled zeolite units are present on the wall surface of SBA-15, thus bringing the weak acid-base characteristics to the resulting mesoporous materials, and that the acid-base properties of these materials can be modified by the aging treatment in glycol.