The preparation of high-surface area, thermally-stable, metal-oxide catalysts and supports by a cellulose templating approach

A simple and convenient templating approach for the preparation of metal-ox ide catalysts and supports has been studied. The method, based on the absor ption of an aqueous solution of metal salts by cellulose material, followed by drying and combustion of the organic matrix, leads to the formation of high-surface area mesoporous materials with unusually high thermal stabilit y. Examples include Ce-Zr mixed oxides (BET surface areas of 90-130 m(2)/g after calcination at 800 degreesC for 2h; 21-30 m(2)/g after 12h at 1050 de greesC) and La-stabilized alumina (BET surface areas of 275-320 m(2)/g afte r calcination at 800 degreesC for 2 h, 88-141m(2)/g after 12 h at 1050 degr eesC). The pore-size distribution, morphology, and the effect of preparatio n parameters on surface area are discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V, All rights reserved.