3D Chemical Distribution of Titania-Alumina Catalyst Supports Prepared by the Swing-pH Method

cited By 3International audienceAnalytical electron tomography combined with more classical techniques such as X-ray fluorescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were performed with a series of titania-alumina catalyst supports prepared by using the swing-pH method. The bulk proportion of titania and alumina was varied along the sample series. It was observed that, independently of this bulk proportion, only 30 % of the surface of the grains of the resulting catalysts was titania covered. It was also shown that the porosity of the material was driven by alumina, and for low titania contents, alumina formed a layer close the surface of the grains. At concentrations higher than 30 % titania, the layer was broken and aggregates covered by alumina were formed, which may have an impact on catalysis if these materials are used as supports for an active phase. © 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim