Preparation of alumina-supported LaFeO3 catalysts and their catalytic activity for propane combustion

Supported LaFeO3 catalysts on alumina were prepared and their catalytic activities for propane oxidation were investigated. Perovskite oxides were selectively deposited in or outside the pore of alumina support (intra- or extra-pore deposition) by using reverse homogeneous precipitation (RHP) and incipient wetness (IW) methods. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic studies confirmed the formation of the perovskite structure on the alumina support, and revealed that the dispersion of LaFeO3 on alumina strongly depended on preparation methods. The catalytic activity for propane oxidation also depended on preparation methods, and perovskite catalysts deposited in the intra-pore of alumina showed higher activity than those deposited on the extra-pore of alumina. The activity of LaFeO3/Al2O3 with the intra-pore deposition by the IW method hardly changed up to the calcination temperature of 1000 °C.