Calorimetric study on oxidation of alumina supported rhodium by dioxygen

Rhodium particles in nanometer size were prepared by impregnating alumina powders with aqueous solutions containing rhodium salts. The dispersion (D) of rhodium crystallites on the prepared samples was estimated by dioxygen adsorption measured at 300 K. Phenomena of oxidizing the supported crystallites with 2.5 × 10⁴ Pa O₂ in a temperature range between 280 and 870 K were calorimetrically studied. Extent of oxidation may be distinguished into three stages, i.e., adsorption on surface (T < 300 K), progressive penetration into bulk, and formation of a stable bulk oxide (T> 700 K), on raising the oxidation temperature. Heat of dioxygen adsorption varies only slightly with the dispersion (D) of rhodium and has a value of 294 ± 6 kJ (mol O₂)⁻¹. Chemical stoichiometry of the bulk oxide formed, however, varies with the dispersion of rhodium crystallites. A dioxide (RhO₂) (_f H = 225 ± 3 kJ (mol O₂)⁻¹) and a sesquioxide (Rh₂O₃) (_f H = 273 ± 3 kJ (mol O₂)⁻¹) was formed at D < 60% and D> 80%,