Optimization, modeling and characterization of sol-gel process parameters for the synthesis of nanostructured boron doped alumina catalyst supports

A response surface methodology (RSM) was implemented to investigate the effect of sol-gel synthesis variables in the structural and textural properties of boron doped alumina synthesis. The effects of four independent operating variables (mol HNO3/mol AIP, concentration of AIP, mol H2O/mol AIP, and boron weight/total catalyst support weight) were explored on the responses, namely the total surface area, and the BJH desorption pore diameter of boron doped alumina (B-Al2O3) supports. The variables were optimized and the models were validated by the experimental runs which were synthesized by simultaneously adjusting the operating variables giving maximum deviation of 33% from the desired value. The synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, BET, SEM, ICP-OES and TEM techniques. The characterization studies pointed out the interactions between process variables significantly affect the morphology of the catalyst support. The morphology of the supports can be modified from cracked surface to nano-sphere formation by the introduction of boron. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.