Synthesis of Ni/alumina supported catalysts by combustion reaction

Ni/alumina catalysts belong to the supported catalysts group, for which the support impregnation with the active species precursor is the key processing step. Alternatively, those catalysts can be produced by coprecipitation of the support and the active species precursors. This involves wet chemical methods and demands a decomposition step before the activation of the catalyst. The present work describes the synthesis of the oxide precursor of a Ni/alumina catalyst by the combustion of the relevant nitrates and urea mixtures. The combustion reaction produces a crystalline non-agglomerated powder with the desired oxide stoichiometry and high specific surface area, without the intermediate support impregnation and decomposition steps. The effect of the reaction variables on the phase formation and the resulting powder characteristics (crystallinity and particle morphology) were investigated. (author)