The effect of La content and its incorporation route on physicochemical properties of ZnO/Zn(Al,La)2O4 or La2O3-ZnO/ZnAl2O4 mixed oxides with a spinel structure obtained from ZnAlLa Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) or ex-ZnAl LDH materials was investigated. The heterostructural nanocomposites with the similar Zn/Al molar ratio and varied La content were prepared by two techniques: via co-precipitation and thermal treatment of ZnAlLa LDHs at 500 °C or via incipient wetness impregnation of ex-ZnAl LDHs with aqueous solutions of lanthanum nitrate and subsequent thermal treatment. The obtained series of materials were characterized by the following techniques: X-ray fluorescence (XRF), N2 adsorption (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis with evolved gas analysis (TG/DTG/EGA), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FFT). The evaluation of activity toward the high-temperature water gas shift (HT-WGS) within the temperature range of 350-420 °C was carried out on the basis of rate constant measurements in the kinetic mode using a differential reactor. The co-precipitation technique allowed for a better distribution of La in bulk and on the spinel surface than in case of lanthanum incorporation via impregnation. ZnO/Zn(Al,La)2O4 or La2O3-ZnO/ZnAl2O4 mixed oxides were characterized by moderate activity in the HT-WGS reaction. The results reveal that introduction of lanthanum oxide over 2.4-2.8 wt% induces the phase separation of the ZnAl2O4 spinel, forming ZnO on the ZnAl2O4 spinel surface.
Keywords: heterostructural nanocomposites; mixed metal oxides; non-stoichiometric zinc aluminate spinels; surface reconstruction of ZnAl2O4.