Synthesis and Structure of Ln–Al (Ln = La, Ce, Pr) Mixed Oxides and Their Catalytic Properties in the Oxidative Coupling of Methane

The effect of the method used to synthesize Ln–Al (Ln = La, Ce, Pr) mixed oxide systems with an Ln : Al atomic ratio of 1 : 1 on the formation of their phase composition and their catalytic properties in the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) is studied. The precursors are prepared by impregnating ashless filter paper with mixed solutions of nitrates of the respective metals by the incipient wetness impregnation method and subsequent drying and combustion of the resulting mass in air. Further treatment is conducted by combining calcination at 600 and 900°C with a treatment in a water fluid (WF) or water–ammonia fluid (WAF) medium. The laws governing the transformation of the amorphous precursor of Pr–Al oxides during treatment in WF and WAF media and high-temperature synthesis are similar to those observed for the La–Al system. In both cases, the amorphous precursor in a water-containing fluid is transformed into LnAlO₃ with a cubic perovskite structure with an admixture of AlO(OH) (boehmite) and basic REE carbonate phases. The subsequent treatment in air at 900°C leads to the formation of a mixture containing LnAlO₃ aluminates and free La₂O₃ or PrO₂ oxides. Single-phase samples containing exclusively lanthanum and praseodymium aluminates are synthesized by heating amorphous precursors in air at 900°C. The treatment of the Ce–Al system in a WF or WAF leads to the formation of a well-crystallized CeO₂ oxide instead of aluminate or Ce-containing hydroxides, while the Al-containing component remains X-ray amorphous. Cerium aluminate CeAlO₃ is synthesized by treating a mixture of cerium and aluminum oxide precursors in a hydrogen stream. It is found that, due to differences in the 4th ionization potential (IP4) values of the La, Ce, and Pr atoms (49.9, 36.7, and 39.0 eV, respectively), completely different synthesis conditions are required to form LnAlO₃ aluminates with a perovskite structure that contain REE in the (3+) oxidation state. The catalytic properties of the synthesized samples in the OCM are studied. The efficiency and stability of isostructural LnAlO₃ aluminates in the OCM decreases in the following order: La > Pr > Ce. Despite the fact that PrAlO₃ is the most active of these aluminates, LaAlO₃ exhibits the highest selectivity for OCM products (ethane + ethylene).