Synthesis and Characterization of Di-Metallic Zeolite Pt-Co Composite as Potential Catalyst for Reforming and Hydro-Desulphurization of Gasoline

Synthesis and characterization of di-metallic zeolite-Pt-Co composite was carried out via hydrothermal treatment, acid leaching of mesoporous-kaolin and calcination of the acidified mesoporous–kaolin. Pt and Co metals were impregnated into the zeolite matrix through thermal reduction of H2PtCl6. 6H2O and Co(CH3COO)2 at 550 oC for 6 hours using (NaBH4) as reductant with Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as stabilizer. The results of FTIR indicated absorption bands range of 1062.3-74.671 cm-1 attributed to tetrahedral stretches for Al­O3 and SiO. A peak at 779.0 cm-1 stretches assigned to Pt and 650 cm-1due to Co. This may confirm the impregnation of Co and Pt- into the composite. Also, muscovite and quartz interloping where confirmed at 1031-1038 cm-1. The XRD analysis indicated 35 % sanidine [(K, Na) (Si,Al)4O8], 27 % quartz (SiO2), 24 % Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8), 8 % Albite (NaAlSi 3O 8) and 6.3% Muscuvite (KAl2(Si3Al)O10(OH)2 with sharp peaks of quartz at 20.8o 2θ, implying crystalline. The results of the Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) results showed 16±4 nm and 7±3 nm for the calcined kaolin and the synthesized zeolite Pt-Co composite respectively. Also, TEM monograph of synthesis Zeolite-Pt-Co indicated a reduced even particle size compared to calcined zeolite clay. Pt enhances isomerization of straight run gasoline with consequent increase in octane number of gasoline while Co aids in hydrodesulphorisation.