Metallic Strontium as a Precursor of the Al(2)O(3)/SrCO(3) Xerogels Obtained by the One-Pot Sol–Gel Method

Two series of binary xerogel systems of Sr/Al with molar ratios of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 were synthesized by the sol–gel technique with metallic strontium component as a precursor. The influence of the metallic precursor on the properties of the final xerogel was determined. The properties of the gels were determined on the basis of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), low temperature nitrogen adsorption, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (TEM, SEM, and SEM/EDS). The Al(2)O(3)/SrCO(3) xerogels were tested as supports for platinum catalysts. Hydrogen chemisorption was used to determine the platinum dispersion of the Pt/Al(2)O(3)-SrCO(3) systems. The original method of synthesis allows to obtain highly dispersed and stable strontium carbonate phases that allow for obtaining a high (42–50%) dispersion of platinum nanoparticles.