NOVEL APPLICATION OF CATALYSIS IN THE SYNTHESIS OF CATALYSTS

A novel method has been developed for the synthesis of catalysts apply ing chemical vapour deposition techniques. It comprises the catalytic conversion of a porous solid which acts as a reactant and a template. The catalyst increases the reactivity of the solid and enhances the ra te of formation of the desired product. The results of applying this m ethod for the synthesis of high surface area SiC will be highlighted. Activated carbon equipped with nickel is converted into SiC by reactio n with hydrogen and silicon tetrachloride at 1380 K. Nickel catalyzes both the gasification (C(s)+2H(2)(g)-->CH4(g)) and the SiC formation v ia the CVD reaction: SiCl4(g)+CH4(g)-->SiC(s)+4HCl(g). Thus porous SiC is obtained with the same shape of the original activated carbon (ext rudate) and possesses surface areas up to 80 m(2)/g.