Microstructure and catalytic properties of Rh and Ni dispersed on TiO2-SiO2 aerogels

The influence of the preparation method on the microstructure and catalytic behavior of Rh and Ni dispersed on TiO₂-SiO₂ aerogels is investigated.The autoclave method has been followed to prepare titania-silica aerogels with TiO₂ contents ranging between 0 and 10 mole %. These aerogels have been used as matrices to disperse catalytically active metals: Rh and Ni. The metals can be deposited by impregnation of aerogels, or alternatively, can be added into the hydrolysis water used in the synthesis of gels. The resulting catalysts present surface areas higher than 550 m²·g^–1.The percentage of titania, the method followed for the introduction of the metal, and the nature of the metal itself affect both the activities and selectivities of the catalysts in the hydrogenolysis of n-butane. Thus, the presence of titania in Rh catalysts increases the activity values, and the samples prepared by impregnation present selectivities towards ethane higher than 80%. Whereas, the rhodium catalysts in which the metal has been introduced before gelling, do not orientate the reaction in favor of a definite product. For the case of Ni, it is quite frequent to obtain high selectivities towards the breakdown of the C-C terminal bonds. In summary, the preparation methods allow to modulate into very broad limits the catalytic behavior of the samples.