Cobalt-niobia catalysts were prepared using different variants of the
colloidal sol-gel technique and wetness impregnation. Characterization
of these catalysts by XRD, FT-IR, XPS and TEM showed that phases stru
cture as well as superficial composition depended on the preparation r
oute. It was found that niobia exhibits a strong metal support interac
tion effect and this effect depends on the dimension of the metallic c
obalt on the support surface. Reactivity of these catalysts was checke
d in n-butane hydrogenolysis, a well known structural sensitive reacti
on. The catalytic tests showed the influence of the catalysts features
both on the reaction rate and selectivity.