Method for producing high surface area chromia materials for catalysis

US7211607B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Alexander E. Gash · Brentwood, US
• Joe H. Satcher, Jr. · Patterson, US
• Thomas M. Tillotson · Tracy, US
• Lawrence W. Hrubesh · Pleasanton, US
• Randall L. Simpson · Livermore, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 24, 2002
• Grant date: May 1, 2007
• Expiry date: Apr 24, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/54
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Nanostructured chromium(III)-oxide-based materials using sol-gel processing and a synthetic route for producing such materials are disclosed herein. Monolithic aerogels and xerogels having surface areas between 150 m2/g and 520 m2/g have been produced. The synthetic method employs the use of stable and inexpensive hydrated-chromium(III) inorganic salts and common solvents such as water, ethanol, methanol, 1-propanol, t-butanol, 2-ethoxy ethanol, and ethylene glycol, DMSO, and dimethyl formamide. The synthesis involves the dissolution of the metal salt in a solvent followed by an addition of a proton scavenger, such as an epoxide, which induces gel formation in a timely manner. Both critical point (supercritical extraction) and atmospheric (low temperature evaporation) drying may be employed to produce monolithic aerogels and xerogels, respectively.