Continuous Flow Preparation of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Supported on Porous Silicates

A simple, innovative, and efficient continuous flow methodology for the direct preparation of supported nanoparticles on porous materials by using metal precursor solution flowing through heated packed-bed reactors containing the support material has been developed. The effects of the flow rate of the precursor solution, temperature, and nature of the support material and metal loading have been investigated. Results indicated that optimum conditions comprised short residence times (with typical flow rates of 0.5 mL min(-1) and below) under mild heating (100 degrees C) to achieve optimum materials in terms of nanoparticle size and structure and catalytic activity. The support was found to have a remarkable effect on both loading and distribution and agglomeration of nanoparticles in the system, with a previously reported Fe/Al synergy also observed in the prepared nanomaterials, which led to optimum results.