Preparation and characterization of aluminosilicate supports with a synthesized layer of catalytic filamentous carbon: I. Synthesis of carbon nanofibers on a supported nickel catalyst

The synthesis of catalytic filamentous carbon (CFC) on a Ni catalyst supported by homogeneous precipitation onto the surface of aluminosilicate ceramic supports (honeycomb monoliths, ceramic foam, glass foam, and haydite) was studied. The effects of CFC synthesis conditions (the catalyst concentration on a support, the pyrolysis temperature of a propane-butane mixture, and the composition of the gas mixture) on the specific surface areas of supports, the yield of carbon, and the morphology of a surface CFC layer were examined. As found by scanning electron microscopy, the uniformity of distribution and the size of carbon nanofibers synthesized depended on the conditions of their synthesis. The resulting CFC-containing supports were tested as adsorbents for the immobilization of enzymatically active substances (individual enzymes, cell membranes, and microorganisms) in order to prepare highly stable heterogeneous catalysts for biotechnology and biocatalysis.