Surface and Catalytic Properties of NiO and Fe2O3 Solids

Abstract

The surface characteristics, viz., the specific surface area SBET, the total pore volume Vp and the mean pore radius r̄, of NiO and Fe2O3 were determined from N2 adsorption isotherms conducted at −196°C for the different adsorbents preheated in air at temperatures in the range 300–800°C. The catalytic activities exhibited in CO oxidation by O2 on the various solids were investigated at temperatures varying between 150°C and 400°C. The effect of heating the NiO and Fe2O3 solids in CO and O2 atmospheres at 175–275°C on their catalytic activities was also studied. The results showed that increasing the calcination temperature in the range 300–800°C resulted in a progressive decrease in the SBET value of NiO and Fe2O3. The computed values of the apparent activation energy for the sintering of the oxides were 71 and 92 kJ/mol, respectively. The sintering of NiO and Fe2O3 took place mainly via a particle adhesion mechanism. The catalytic activity of NiO decreased progressively on increasing its calcination temperature from 300°C to 800°C, due to a decrease in its SBET value and the progressive removal of excess O2 which was present as non-stoichiometric NiO. This treatment also decreased the catalytic activity of Fe2O3. The decrease was, however, more pronounced when the temperature increased from 300°C to 400°C which was a result of the crystallization of the ferric oxide into the α-Fe2O3 phase. An increase in the calcination temperature for both oxides from 300°C to 800°C did not modify the mechanism of oxidation of CO by O2 over the various solids but rather changed the concentration of catalytically active sites. Heating NiO and Fe2O3 in CO and O2 atmospheres at 175–275°C modified their catalytic activities, with Fe2O3 being influenced to a greater extent than NiO.