The interaction of cobalt species with alumina on Co/Al2O3 catalysts prepared by atomic layer deposition

Alumina supported cobalt catalysts were prepared by atomic layer deposition of cobalt acetylacetonate precursors. The interaction between cobalt species and the alumina support was studied. Calcination decreased the reducibility of the Co/Al2O3 catalysts due to formation of a cobalt oxide phase strongly interacting with the support and probably aluminate type surface species. The dispersion was also found to decrease due to calcination. The catalytic activity for toluene hydrogenation correlated with the cobalt surface area.