Catalytic performance of texturally improved Al-Mg mixed oxides derived from emulsion-synthesized hydrotalcites.

Mixed oxides of aluminum and magnesium derived from hydrotalcites were prepared by means of a sol-gel method mediated by an emulsified sol as pore template. The emulsion consisted of ethanol as the continuous phase and -dodecane droplets as the dispersed phase, which was stabilized by the presence of the surfactant Pluronic P123. The use of such an emulsion was essential for obtaining materials with a porous structure that were assessed by mercury intrusion porosimetry and nitrogen physisorption.