Synthesis of nanocomposites of difference architectures and applications based on copper, nickel and alumina

Abstract

Considering that nanostructural materials are expected to have special physical and mechanical properties, in the recent years the examinations of synthesis and characterization of the nanocomposite system attracts even greater scientific interest. This paper presents production of sintered contacts materials produced from nanocomposite powders obtained by combination of thermochemical synthesis of Cu-Al2O3 powder and mechanical alloying of atomized copper powder with previously sinthetized Cu-Al2O3 powder. Produced powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction and Analytical Electron Microscopy. Characterization of sintered samples included Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS), measurement of hardness and specific electrical conductivity. By thermochemical method of Cu-Al2O3 nanocomposite synthesis, i.e. deposition from aqueous solutions, in combination with mechanical alloying, significant effects of reinforcement were achieved as a result of homogenous distribution of alumina in the nanocomposite system. In combination with conventional methods, thermochemical process of nanocomposite powders synthesis could be successfully applied for synthesis of new nanocomposite catalysts, which are characterized by a high degree of dispersion of the catalytically active component, respectively the catalyst with high activity and selectivity. The high degree of dispersion is the result of uniform distribution of the catalytically active component into alumina suspension, realized during the thermochemical treatment in the synthesis of nanocomposite catalysts. In accordance with this, the paper shows the synthesis of Ni/Al2O3 and Ni-Pd/Al2O3 nanocomposite catalysts with homogeneously dispersed Ni particles, as catalytically active component, and Pd, as activity modifier, supported on ceramic Al2O3 based foam. Namely, the previous synthesized monolith was soaked in a mixed alumina suspension with NiCl2, PdCl2 and appropriate organic additives in order to obtain a nanocomposite catalysts with homogeneous distribution of catalytically active components. Characterization of obtained Al2O3 foam, as the active catalytic components primary carrier, and synthesized nanocomposite catalysts included SEM, EDS, gas permeability and mechanical properties. Synthesis of nanocomposite materials with homogeneous distribution of particles on the nanometer level may lead to formation of new materials with improved or even unexpected properties.