The Role of CeO₂-Doping of γ-Al₂O₃ on its Structural and Superficial Area

A series of samples, noted Al_xCe_{1-x} has been prepared by hydrolysis, from γ-Al₂O₃ and CeO₂. These samples were calcined under air at 450, 900 and 1200°C, and then characterized by specific surface area, X-ray diffraction and thermoreduction programmed under H₂. Obtained results show that after calcination at 450 and 900°C, the cerium decreases the surface of alumina. Results of X-ray diffraction and thermoreduction programmed under H₂ experiments showed that the samples are constituted of: γ-Al₂O₃ and CeO₂. The global consumption of hydrogen increase with rate of CeO₂ added. At 1200°C, the sintering of the samples is very important and γ-Al₂O₃ is transformed into the α-phase. The decrease in specific surface area is more accentuated for Al₁Ce₀ sample, since sintering occurs due to the growth in crystallite size. Thermoreduction programmed under H₂ experiments show that reduction of CeO₂ much more accentuated for ceria samples or its decrease can reflect some alterations of the nature of interactions between Al₂O₃ and CeO₂.