Preparation of nanostructured nickel aluminate spinel powder from spent NiO/Al2O3 catalyst by mechano-chemical synthesis

In this paper, the possibility of mechano-chemical synthesis, as a single step process for preparation of nanostructured nickel aluminate spinel powder from NiO/Al2O3 spent catalyst was investigated. Powder samples were characterized in terms of composition, morphology, structure, particle size and surface area using complementary techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and volumetric adsorption of nitrogen. It was found that formation of spinel was possible after 60 h of milling with no heat treatment. Additionally, influence of mechanical activation on the heat treatment temperature was discussed. It was observed that heat treatment of 15 h milled sample at 1100 °C is enough to produce nickel aluminate spinel. A product of direct mechanical milling showed higher value of surface area (42.3 m2/g) and smaller crystallite size (12 nm) as compared to the heat treated product.

Preparation of nanostructured nickel aluminate spinel powder from NiO/Al2O3 spent catalyst through mechano-chemical synthesis was investigated. Results revealed that solid state reaction of Al2O3 with NiO was completed after 60 h milling. Also, influence of mechanical activation on the heat treatment temperature was discussed.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Solid state preparation of NiAl2O4 spinel by mechanical milling of NiO/Al2O3 spent catalyst.
► Obtaining nanostructured NiAl2O4 spinel powder together with high surface area.
► The influence of mechanical activation on the heat treatment temperature of NiAl2O4 spinel formation is discussed in detail.