Preparation of Mesoporous Silica by Nonionic Surfactant Micelle-Templated Gelation of NaSiO and HSiF and Application as a Catalyst Carrier for the Partial Oxidation of CH.

Mesoporous silica (MSPN12) was prepared by nonionic surfactant micelle-templated gelation of sodium silicate (NaSiO) and fluorosilicic acid (HSiF) in aqueous solution, characterized by a range of instrumental techniques, and tested as a support for Ni and Rh catalysts in the partial oxidation of methane (POM). Calcined and sintered MSPN12 exhibited well-defined d-spacings (3.5-4.39 nm), narrow pore distributions (2.4-3.1 nm), and large specific surface areas (552-1,246 m g), and was found to be highly thermally stable. Microscopic imaging revealed that MSPN12 comprised spherical particles with a uniform diameter of ~0.7 µm, with each particle featuring firm and regular honeycomb-type pores. MSPN12-loaded Ni and Rh maintained stable POM activity at 700 °C during almost 100 h on stream, which were comparable to those for the commercial Rh(5)/AlO catalyst in terms of methane conversion and H formation selectivity. Thus, the combination of structural stability and favorable physicochemical properties resulted in good POM performance.