IRON-OXIDE DEHYDROGENATION CATALYSTS SUPPORTED ON MAGNESIUM-OXIDE .1. PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION

Iron oxide catalysts supported on magnesium oxide have been prepared by impregnation of a preshaped magnesium oxide support to incipient wetness with poorly crystallizing organometallic complexes. As organometallic complexes ammonium iron(III) citrate and ammonium iron(III) EDTA have been used. After impregnation the iron has appeared to be homogeneously distributed throughout the magnesium oxide support bodies. Upon calcination in air, the precursors decompose to form magnesium ferrite at temperatures as low as ca. 800 K. Calcination in air at 973 K results in the formation of small MgFe2O4 crystallites with a typical size of ca. 200 angstrom, as determined by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy.