An efficient strategy for highly loaded, well dispersed and thermally stable metal oxide catalysts

A family of metal oxides (Co3O4, NiO and CeO2) confined in SBA-15 with high loadings (≥ 20 wt%) was prepared through a solvent-free method. Characterizations of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that aggregation-free nanoparticles were obtained and N2 physisorption confirmed they were studded in mesopores. It was proposed that the intermediate molten salt phases ensured successful encapsulation and homogeneous dispersion of metal oxides. Lastly, the importance of the strategy was exemplified by NiO, and the high thermal stability together with superior performance in hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzene suggested great potential of these samples in heterogeneous catalysis.

Graphical abstractA family of highly loaded, well dispersed and thermally stable metal oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4, NiO, CeO2) confined in SBA-15 is fabricated via a solvent-free strategy. The preliminary catalytic test of NiO in hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzene suggests great potential of the samples in heterogeneous catalysis.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights► Co3O4, NiO and CeO2 are filled into SBA-15 through a solvent-free method. ► The method is facile but efficient. ► The key of the method is based on suppression of distribution of precursors. ► The obtained samples show promising applications in heterogeneous catalysis.