Combustion synthesis of the cermet LaCrO3-Ru

Perovskite-type chromites have been synthesised previously by the combustion method. Here, a ceramic-metallic composite LaCrO3-Ru was prepared by the same method. Using combustion synthesis, nanocrystalline powders composed of two different phases were achieved, the particle size of the LaCrO3 ceramic being 11-16 nm, and the average grain size of Ru metallic around 2-5 nm. The ruthenium was dispersed randomly and well distributed over the ceramic phase. TEM revealed the formation of the cermet, with two different types of particles, most of them dark coloured and with polygonal shapes associated with the ceramic support and others, smaller in size, and rounded which were assumed to be Ru phase. The cermet showed activity in partial methanol oxidation, the maximum conversion of MeOH to H2 being at 327 C. 14 refs.