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We investigated the possibility of synthesizing Co nanoparticles in CoZrnH/AlOx(OH)y/Al ceramic–metal catalysts and controlling the catalytic properties of these nanoparticles in syngas conversion by changing the Co/Zr ratio. The CoZr nanocomposites were obtained from metal powders by mechanochemical activation in a high-energy mill under an argon atmosphere, followed by treatment with hydrogen at high pressure and room temperature. Ceramic–metal catalysts were prepared by mixing the corresponding CoZrnH powder nanocomposite (30 wt%) with powdered aluminum (70 wt%), hydrothermal treatment of the mixture and subsequent calcination. The materials were characterized with a set of physicochemical methods: powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, 59Co internal field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and temperature programmed reduction. Catalytic studies were performed in a laboratory fixed-bed flow reactor at 2 MPA and 210–270 °C. It is shown that the activity in syngas conversion to C5+ hydrocarbons and selectivity to methane and C2–C4 hydrocarbons depend on the Co/Zr ratio. Thus, with an increase in the zirconium content in the samples, the interaction of metal cobalt with metal zirconium improves in the process of mechanical activation and subsequent treatment with hydrogen. The destruction of the agglomerates of crystallites of metallic cobalt in the form of β-Co (Cofcc) occurs as well as their transformation to α-Co (Cohcp) particles active in the syngas conversion to C5+ hydrocarbons. This can explain the highest specific yield of C5+ hydrocarbons on a cermet with the lowest Co/Zr ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basic stages of porous cermets preparation from MeAl (Me = Cr, Cu, Co, Fe) powders are elaborated including mechanical activation of Me–Al blends, soft hydrothermal treatment of mechanically alloyed blends followed by thermal treatment thus allowing to control their mechanical, thermophysical and textural properties. Ceramometal monoliths with metallic particles (up to 80 wt.%) randomly distributed in the oxide matrix are characterized by the hierarchical pore structure with developed ultramacropores which provides their high permeability. Mesoporosity of ceramometal monoliths was developed by incorporation of mesoporous components into their structure. Monolithic catalysts based on these cermet substrates were shown to be promising for different fields of application in catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]