The preparation of high-surface area, thermally-stable, metal-oxide catalysts and supports by a cellulose templating approach Original Research Article

A simple and convenient templating approach for the preparation of metal-oxide catalysts and supports has been studied. The method, based on the absorption of an aqueous solution of metal salts by cellulose material, followed by drying and combustion of the organic matrix, leads to the formation of high-surface area mesoporous materials with unusually high thermal stability. Examples include Ce–Zr mixed oxides (BET surface areas of 90–130 m2/g after calcination at 800°C for 2 h; 21–30 m2/g after 12 h at 1050°C) and La-stabilized alumina (BET surface areas of 275–320 m2/g after calcination at 800°C for 2 h, 88–141 m2/g after 12 h at 1050°C). The pore-size distribution, morphology, and the effect of preparation parameters on surface area are discussed.