简介: |
The synthesis of a composite of ZrO2 nanoparticles supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) is discussed. Using X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), the ZrO2 particles were found to be 2-3 nm tetragonal crystalline nanoparticles. Strong interfacial interaction between the ZrO2 nanoparticles and the MWCNT surface was observed by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) at the carbon K edge and the oxygen K edge, and this strong metal oxide/support interaction leads to small ZrO2 particle size with both thermal stability (to 750°C) and hydrothermal stability (to 200°C in liquid water). The ZrO2/MWCNT was converted into a solid acid catalyst by sulfation and the properties of S-ZrO2/MWCNT were studied by X-ray absorption and catalytic probe reaction(s). The nature of its acid sites was probed by S K edge and Zr L edges (LI, LII, LIII) XANES and catalytic cracking of cyclohexane. Such composites are good candidates for potential catalysis applications in fuel cell electrodes and biomass processing. |
