Preparation and characterization of carbon nanofiber washcoat on macroporous α-alumina support

Active component was supported on large macro-porous α-alumina by impregnation method.The effects of impregnation time and the state of the support on the active component were investigated.In order to obtain a catalyst with large liquid-solid surface area as well as short diffusion distance inside it without needing difficult separation step,a highly porous,high surface area carbon nanofiber washcoat was grown on this α-alumina support by ethylene catalytic decomposition over small nickel particles.The carbon nanofiber washcoat owns its diameter of 10 to 20 nanometers.Such carbon nanofiber washcoat on α-alumina could potentially find applications as catalyst support or directly as catalyst used in gas-liquid catalytic reactions.