Synthesis and pore structure characterisation of novel mesoporous MgO-CeO₂/SBA-15 as a potential catalyst support

The high interest in the synthesis of mesoporous catalyst demands that novel materials are developed with simple methods capable of improving process yields. In this work, a novel heterogeneous mesoporous catalyst support has been synthesized using mesoporous SBA-15 loaded with mixed bimetal oxides of CeO₂ and MgO. Formation of the SBA-15 was actuated in air at room temperature (25°C) and in oven conditions at 100°C after which cerium nitrate and magnesium nitrate precursors were then impregnated into the SBA-15 framework and calcined at 550°C for each of the air and oven crystallization processes. XRD peak patterns confirmed SBA-15 formation and dispersion of nanocrystallites of CeO₂ and MgO within the porous framework of SBA-15. Both the air and oven dried processes produced mesoporous MgO-CeO₂ /SBA-15 catalysts with isotherms that exhibit typical H1 type hysteresis confirming that they possess open-ended cylindrical mesopores. The structural data extracted gave average pore size, pore volume and surface area values in the ranges of 3-5.2 nm, 0.600-2.500 cc/g and 400-500 m²/g respectively which is ideal for several industrial applications.