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Abstract

Introduction Catalyst deactivation is a frequently occurring problem, particularly in hydrocarbon conversion, and is often ascribed to the formation of “carbonaceous deposits”. Amount and nature of such deposits is usually determined by analysis of the spent catalyst after its removal from the reactor. In order to understand the formation and further transformation of surface species and to elucidate their effect on the catalytic performance, in situ measurements are compulsory. UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy is a powerful technique because it provides information on electronic and vibrational transitions simultaneously, facilitating spectral interpretation. Sulfated zirconia (SZ) is known to deactivate rapidly during alkane isomerization unless Pt is added to the catalyst and hydrogen to the feed, and presents a challenging study.