Metal-contg. macrostructures of porous inorganic oxide, prepn. thereof, and use

Abstract

There is provided a catalyst containing porous macrostructures comprised of: (a) a three-dimensional network of particles of porous inorganic material; and, (b) at least one metal. The particles of the at least one macrostructure occupy less than 75 % of the total volume of the at least one macrostructure and are jointed together to form a three-dimensional interconnected network. The three-dimensional interconnected network will usually be comprised of pores having diameters greater than about 20 ANGSTROM . The macrostructures can be made by forming an admixture containing a porous organic ion exchanger and a synthesis mixture capable of forming the porous inorganic material and the at least one metal; converting the synthesis mixture to the porous inorganic material; and removing the porous organic ion exchanger from the organic material. The metal-containing macrostructures find application in hydrocarbon conversion and in the reduction of emissions.

Description

field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to metal-containing macrostructures of porous inorganic oxides, processes for the preparation of metal-containing macrostructures and uses of metal-containing macrostructures. Background of the invention

[0002] Mesoporous inorganic materials and microporous inorganic materials are both characterized by a large specific surface area in the pores, and they are widely used in fields with great industrial application prospects. It is an important fact that in most applications the phase interface between the solid porous material and the medium used (liquid or gas) is very large. For example, these porous inorganic materials are often used as catalysts and catalyst supports in hydrocarbon conversion processes. Meanwhile, these porous inorganic materials are also frequently used as adsorbents for selective adsorption in gas or liquid phase, or selective separation of ionic compounds. Herein, the terms "porous inorganic m...