Impact of Cobalt and Molybdenum Impregnation on the Structural and Acidic Properties of Zeolite Y

Abstract

Zeolite’s possession of Brønsted acid sites and impregnated metals in its pores renders it highly advantageous for catalytic transformations that necessitate the presence of both metallic and acidic active sites such as hydroisomerization and hydrocracking reactions. This study explores the influence of cobalt (Co) and molybdenum (Mo) impregnation on the structural and acidic properties of zeolite Y. A series of CoMo–zeolite Y catalysts was synthesized using the wet impregnation method with varying metal concentrations. Characterization using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and pyridine–FTIR revealed that the introduction of Co and Mo modified the distribution and strength of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites, while the crystallinity of the zeolite Y framework was preserved. Notably, the Co₆Mo catalyst exhibited an optimal Lewis/Brønsted acid ratio, highlighting the potential of these materials for bifunctional catalytic applications. These findings contribute to understanding the interplay between metal loading and acid properties, laying the groundwork for future studies on catalytic performance.