Mesoporous Powders for Catalyst Supports Produced from Al2O3–ZrO2 (Y2O3) System

Abstract

The liquid-phase method for synthesis of disperse mesoporous powders from the Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ (Y₂O₃) system is developed. It is shown that cryotreatment makes possible to constrain particle agglomeration and obtain the precursors with the specific surface area of higher than 100 m²/g and pore volume ranging from 0.18–0.51 cm³/g. Influence of the aluminum oxide source (AlOOH, Al[(CH₃)₂CHO]₃ and Al(NO₃)₃) on the powder dispersivity and pore structure is found, and this makes it possible to control their textural characteristics. It is found that the components obtained are two-phase (γ-Al₂O₃ + t-ZrO₂); the size of the phases is not greater than 45 nm. Thermal treatment of nanocompositions within the Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ (Y₂O₃) system at 700°C for 50 h keeps the nanosize of phases (<60 nm) and hardly changes the crystal structure. The experimental results described in this work make possible to recommend the materials obtained as precursor powders for catalyst supports in methane conversion to synthesis gas.