SOL-GEL SYNTHESIS OF COBALT-NIOBIA CATALYSTS

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.