Nickel-based nanocrystals dispersed on SBA-16 gels: Synthesis and structural characterization

Porous monoliths of nanocomposites containing Ni (5 wt.%) and FeNi (5 wt.%) nanoparticles dispersed on an SBA-16 type matrix were prepared following a templated-gelation method based on the sol-gel process. The nanocomposites were characterized by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, N-2 physisorption at 77 K, X-ray diffraction and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. In particular, N-2 physisorption and transmission electron microscopy analysis show that the ordered mesoporous structure and the high surface area of all the samples are preserved after calcination in air at 500 degrees C and also after reduction in H-2 flux at 800 degrees C, indicating a very high thermal stability of the samples. As a result of the effective dispersion of the nanophase within the porous texture, nanocomposites containing Ni nanocrystals with an average size of 6 nm homogeneously dispersed within the pores of the amorphous silica matrix were obtained. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.