Application of alumina aerogels as catalysts

Abstract

Al₂O₃ gels prepared by hydrolysis of Al-alkoxide were applied as catalysts for NO reduction by hydrocarbon. Xerogels were obtained by drying at 90°C, for 24 h, in air. Aerogels were prepared by supercritical drying of the wet gels in ethanol, using an autoclave. The catalyst activity of the gels for NO reduction with C₃H₆ as determined at 200–600°C in a fixed bed flow reactor. NO conversion to N₂ was about 60% at 550°C with both catalysts, and at 600°C it was better with the aerogel than with the xerogel. The specific surface area of the xerogel, which was larger than that of the aerogel as-dried, decreased to 1/3 by annealing at>500°C. However, the surface area of the aerogel hardly changed by annealing at temperatures up to 700°C. The bimodal pore size distribution of the aerogel hardly changed by annealing, too. The microstructure of the aerogels is stable at high temperatures, and they are better catalysts at high temperatures.