Preparation of Mesoporous Silica by Nonionic Surfactant Micelle–Templated Gelation of Na2SiO3 and H2SiF6 and Application as a Catalyst Carrier for the Partial Oxidation of CH4

Mesoporous silica (MSPN12) was prepared by nonionic surfactant micelle–templated gelation of sodium silicate (Na 2 SiO 3 ) and fluorosilicic acid (H 2 SiF 6 ) in aqueous solution, characterized by a range of instrumental techniques, and tested as a support for Ni and Rh catalysts in the partial oxidation of methane (POM). Calcined and sintered MSPN12 exhibited well-defined d 00l -spacings (3.5–4.39 nm), narrow pore distributions (2.4–3.1 nm), and large specific surface areas (552–1,246 m 2 g −1 ), and was found to be highly thermally stable. Microscopic imaging revealed that MSPN12 comprised spherical particles with a uniform diameter of ~0.7 µm, with each particle featuring firm and regular honeycomb-type pores. MSPN12-loaded Ni and Rh maintained stable POM activity at 700 °C during almost 100 h on stream, which were comparable to those for the commercial Rh(5)/Al 2 O 3 catalyst in terms of methane conversion and H 2 formation selectivity. Thus, the combination of structural stability and favorable physicochemical properties resulted in good POM performance.