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Formation and characterization of highly-dispersed iron catalysts

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5369173

We are developing small (1--10 nm) iron (Fe) particles in inverse micelles as highly-dispersed catalysts for coal liquefaction. Chemical reduction of iron salts in the hydrophilic core of an oil- continuous inverse micelle system results in stable iron colloids dispersed in an organic solvent. Reaction with sulfur compounds in the same environment produces FeS{sub x} (x=1--2) particles. The Fe particle size and size distributions are analyzed by in-situ light scattering, electronic spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Size control is achieved by variation of the number of metal ions per micelle, or by varying the average size or aggregation number of the micelles through changes in the solvent or surfactant system used, or by type of precursor metal salt and reduction chemistry. This approach is quite general and we have demonstrated the ability to control the composition, size, and size distribution for a wide range of other catalytic metals, metal compounds, and metal alloys, including nickel, palladium, molybdenum, and cobalt. We have also demonstrated methods of surface stabilization and surfactant extraction which enable the use of these particles as unsupported catalysts at elevated temperatures and pressures in model catalytic reactions (i.e., pyrene hydrogenation). 4 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
5369173
Report Number(s):
SAND-91-1637C; CONF-911041--2; ON: DE91019055
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English