Synthesis of ZnAl2O4 Catalytic Support by Combustion Reaction Using Different Fuels

This work shows the influence of the fuels aniline, carbohydrazide and glycine on structural and morphological characteristics of ZnAl₂O₄ synthesized by combustion reaction. Samples were prepared according to the propellants and explosives theory using a vitreous silica crucible and a muffle furnace as heating source. During the synthesis was measured the time and temperature of the reaction. After The samples were structurally and morphologically characterized by the following techniques: XRD, nitrogen adsorption / desorption (BET / BJH), and SEM. The higher temperature was achieved by the synthesis using aniline, whose value was of 876°C. XRD results showed that all the samples presented the ZnAl₂O₄ spinel as majority phase and, ZnO and Al₂O₃ as segregated phases. The samples also showed low surface area, varying of 23.6 to 28.7 m²/g, and particle size of 45 to 55 nm, besides mesoporous characteristic and irregular agglomerates formation.