AN INVESTIGATION OF CATALYTIC ACTIVITY IN MIXED-METAL OXIDE NANOPHASEMATERIALS

We present preliminary evidence for catalytic activity by unsupported mixed metal oxide nanocrystalline materials. The results of this study show that a nanophase form of Li-MgO has begun to exhibit catalytic a ctivity by 300-degrees-C. This is at least 200 degrees below the tempe rature at which conventional Li-MgO catalysts exhibit comparable activ ity. Furthermore, at higher temperatures, the same nanophase compositi on shows enhanced activities and somewhat improved hydrocarbon selecti vities over conventional Li-MgO catalysts.