Characterisation of high surface area nanocomposites for glycerol transformation: Effect of the presence of silica on the structure and catalytic activity

The catalytic properties of the nanocomposites were evaluated at various temperatures during the gas-phase dehydration of glycerol, an environmental friendly reaction. A pressure of 1 atm and a glycerol/water molar ratio of 0.25 were applied. Nanocomposites possessing high surface area were synthesised, and silica-containing CeO2–MnO2, NiO–Al2O3 and CeO2–Al2O3 nanoparticles were obtained. The materials were characterised by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, TPR, TEM and SEM-EDX analysis, and the textural properties of the materials were determined. The effect of the structure, surface properties and textural parameters was evident in the unique properties of the nanoparticles, and the accessibility of the active sites dictated the catalytic activity. The basicity and reducibility of the nanoparticles on silica plays a critical role in the catalytic properties of the oxides.

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► Silica-containing CeO2–MnO2, NiO–Al2O3 and CeO2–Al2O3 oxides composites.
► Unique properties of the nanoparticles dictated the catalytic activity.
► Textural and structural properties, basicity and redox abilities in the gas-phase dehydration.