Preparation and Characterization of SiC-based Carrier Nanomaterials for Heterogeneous Catalysis

Abstract

Many trials to develop improved catalysts carriers materials have been performed but, alumina have been most commonly used for catalysts carriers until recent years because of outstanding mechanical properties at a high temperature[1-4]. Nevertheless, the alumina carrier suffers still several drawbacks, including the poor heat conductivity and the chemical reactivity that can generate a decrease in surface area and degradation in performance of catalytically active materials during operation[2-3]. Thus, there are highly increasing necessities for developing new materials with high thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, chemical inertness, and oxidation resistance. Silicon carbide (SiC) is one of the most promising candidates because they satisfy all properties required for good heterogeneous catalyst carrier materials, such as a high thermal conductivity, a high oxidation resistivity, a high mechanical strength, and chemical inertness[4]. In our study, SiC-based carrier nanocomposite materials with controlled size and shape with medium to high specific surface area and adaptable pore morphology were prepared and their physical properties and morphologies were characterized by SEM, XRD, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and mercury intrusion techniques.