Catalyst materials based on plasma-processed alumina nanopowder

A platinum catalyst for glycerol oxidation by molecular oxygen has been developed applying an extractive-pyrolytic method and using, as a support, a fine alumina powder with an average particle size of 30-60 nm processed by plasma technology. The extractive-pyrolytic method (EPM) allows affixing small amounts of catalytic metals (1-5 %) with the particle size ranging from several nanometers to several tens of nanometers onto the surface of the support. The prepared material, 4.8 wt. % platinum on nano-sized alumina, could be used as a catalyst for glycerol oxidation by oxygen with conversions up to 84 %, in order to produce some organic acids (glyceric and lactic acid) with a selectivity of about 60 %.