Preparation and characterization of supports with a synthesized layer of catalytic filamentous carbon: IV. Synthesis of carbon nanofibers on a Co/Al2O3 catalyst

Abstract

A comparative study of the synthesis of carbon layers, including catalytic filamentous carbon, on the surface of various alumina modifications was made. The synthesis was performed by the pyrolysis of alkanes (a propane-butane mixture) on Co/Al2O3 supported catalysts. The texture characteristics (specific surface area and pore structure) of the starting supports and adsorbents with a synthesized carbon layer were studied. The surface morphology of Co/Al2O3 catalysts and the synthesized carbon deposits was studied by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that carbon nanofibers were formed only on the catalysts prepared by the homogeneous precipitation of Co compounds onto the surface of macroporous α-Al2O3, whereas carbon deposits on mesoporous aluminum oxides did not exhibit a pronounced fibrous structure. The applicability of C/Co/Al2O3 carbon-containing adsorbents to the immobilization of the nitrile hydratase enzyme and the preparation of a biocatalyst for acrylonitrile hydration to acrylamide was considered.