Aerogel catalyst materials have the potential to be produced more economically than catalysts used in current catalytic converter technology.  In this work, alumina and nickel-alumina aerogels were produced using an epoxide-assisted mechanism, followed by rapid supercritical extraction (RSCE) in a contained mold in a hydraulic hot press.  Aerogels were characterized by helium pycnometry, BET surface area and BJH pore size distribution analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and powder x-ray diffraction (XRD).  These materials have physical properties that show promise for catalysis applications.  Typical alumina aerogels have skeletal densities of 2 g/mL, surface areas above 670 m2/g and 25-nm average pore diameter.  The Ni-Al aerogels have skeletal densities of 2.3 g/mL, surface areas of 600 m2/g and 25-nm average pore diameter.  SEM imaging shows that the aerogels have a condensed, nano-fibrous structure.  XRD analysis suggests that some of the nickel species within the aerogel experience changes during exposure to high temperatures.

Preparation and characterization of alumina-based aerogels for applications in automotive catalysis

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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