Preparation of silicon-carbide-coated activated carbon using a high-temperature fluidized bed reactor

Chemically and thermally stable high surface area catalyst supports are needed to facilitate a vast array of chemical reactions. One approach is to augment an otherwise vulnerable high surface area material such as activated carbon with a robust surface coating. Here a high-temperature fluidized bed reactor-based method for the production of silicon-carbide-(SiC) coated activated carbon is described. At 1350 degreesC, gaseous silicon monoxide reacts at the carbon surface to form beta -SiC and carbon monoxide. The resulting carbide coating confers improved resistance to thermal and chemical degradation while maintaining significantly high surface areas. The resulting composite materials are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, electron microprobe, BET surface area, and thermogravimetric analysis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.