Raman spectroscopic study of Ni/Al2O3 catalyst

In this article a preliminary Raman spectroscopic study of Ni/Al2O3 catalyst of the type used for the steam reformation of methane is reported. With several prepared samples of this catalyst and using FT-Raman and conventional dispersive Raman technique, it is shown how Raman spectroscopy can be used to monitor the exact conditions during the preparation of the catalyst. Raman data shows that despite a strong fluorescence background, some useful information can be obtained. According to these data, when the calcination temperature is raised above 1000 degrees C, the gamma alumina (gamma-Al2O3) is converted to alpha alumina (alpha-Al2O3) as it is expected. It further shows that Ni is not present as NiO:it is probably embedded in the crystal structure of gamma-Al2O3 as NiAl2O4 (the spinel structure) or constituted as a solid solution with Al2O3. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.