The use of nitrate precursors for the production of mixed oxide catalysts such as iron molybdates and copper manganese oxides has been well documented in the literature. Nitrates have been used because of their high solubility and the ease of removal of the nitrate anion during calcination. In the case of copper manganese oxides, the use of chlorides and sulphates leads to the retention of the anion on the surface of the catalyst, using nitrates leaves no residue on the catalyst. The use of nitrates, however, is unfavourable due to the environmental issues associated with them. The main aim of this project was to provide a nitrate free route for the production of iron molybdate and copper manganese oxide catalysts. Using supercritical antisolvent precipitation (SAS) provided an alternative preparative route for the production of these catalysts. The catalysts produced exhibited activity when tested in their respective reactions. Some catalysts produced were comparable to those currently prepared using the conventional preparation methods i.e. the use of nitrate precursors. The research performed focussed on the production of theses mixed metal oxides using supercritical carbon dioxide. Optimisation of the supercritical process by varying operational parameters was also investigated to determine their effect on the activity of the catalyst obtained. By utilising operating parameters and understanding the supercritical antisolvent process, the results obtained showed that it was possible to produce mixed metal oxides, and to tune their catalytic activity.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:584636 |
| Date | January 2009 |
| Creators | Ferguson, Jonathan |
| Publisher | Cardiff University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://orca.cf.ac.uk/54914/ |
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