Catalyst Carrier Materials from Alumina to Zirconia

Saint-Gobain NorPro has an impressive and lengthy record in the development and commercialization of carriers in a wide range of materials for countless applications. Our understanding of raw materials and finished properties is unparalleled in the industry.

We have the ability to tailor pore structure and customized chemistry. Very close control of calcination conditions is required to produce high phase purity materials such as theta-, chi- and delta-aluminas. Titanias and zirconias are not only high purity, with no other binder materials, but also may be phase controlled anatase and rutile titanias and monoclinic and zirconias. Silica carriers have tightly controlled soda and alumina content. Silica-aluminas may show very high surface areas, while silicon carbide carriers offer exceptional thermal conductivity characteristics. Many mixed oxide materials have been developed as well.

Physical Properties

Internal surface area and porosity are critical physical attributes of the carrier and the catalyst relies on a wide range of physical properties being optimized for a particular reaction. We have prepared a Materials Selector that will help you identify a variety of Materials, Surface Area, or Pore Volume selections. The information in these tables represents only some of our extensive capabilities. To view a list of our standard carriers please click here. If you can't find what you're looking for from this information, please Contact Us.

Catalyst Carrier Selector

Our catalyst selector tool is designed to help you quickly determine the right carrier for your application. Search below by raw material, surface area, or pore volume to determine which of our carriers will best suit your needs. Not sure what you need? View our standard carriers product list to see what's available. After you receive and test a sample carrier our team can work with you to co-develop a carrier that meets the specifications needed for your specific application.

Select one of the categories below to start the search:

Select one category

Alumina

* Note: Please select for Nomenclature reference and explanation of "Product."

Product*	Description	Surface Area	MPD	PV	WA	PD	Phase	Chemical Purity
		m²/g		cm³/g	%	kg/m³		wt-%
SA 5*51	Monomodal pore size distribution	0.18	3 µm	0.23	25	1170	α	0.3% SiO₂
SA 5*61	Bimodal pore size distribution	0.25	3 µm	0.25	25	1120	α	0.3% SiO2
SA 5*62	Trimodal pore size distribution	0.75	1/10 / 250 µm	0.53	50	845	α	0.1% SiO2
SA 5*02	Small pore	1.0	1.2 µm	0.30	29	1120	α	< 0.05% SiO2
SA 5*161	Bimodal pore size distribution	4.50	0.1 / 11 µm	0.35	35	960	α	1% SiO2
SA 5*131	High alumina MacroTrap® media	> 0.9	1.1 / 40 µm	> 0.4 (1)	> 40	< 800	α	< 1% SiO2
SA 52124	UniSpheres® catalyst carrier	5.00	0.15 µm	0.30	36	1040	α	< 1% SiO2
SA 52238	Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	< 12	0.2 µm	0.50	50	800	α	< 1% SiO2
SA 3*132	Theta alumina	55	25 / 550 nm	> 0.8		550	mainly θ	< 0.1% SiO2
SA 3*145	Theta alumina	75	20 / 230 nm	> 0.55		650	mainly θ	< 0.3% SiO₂; < 0.1% Na₂O
SA 3*77	Transition alumina	100	10 nm	0.49		780	α / transition (γ,θ)	1% SiO2
SA 32239	Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	100	20 nm	0.65		660	delta / theta	< 1% SiO2
SA 6*73	Standard pore volume	200	7 nm	0.6		640	γ	< 0.05% Na2O
SA 6*75	Higher pore volume	260	10 nm	0.83		545	γ	< 0.05% Na2O
SA 6*76	Bimodal pore size distribution	250	7 / 500 nm	1.05		450	γ	< 0.05% Na2O
SA 6*78	High pore vol. & lower surface area	175	13 nm	0.82		500	γ,δ	< 0.05% Na2O
SA 62125	UniSpheres® catalyst carrier	200	8.5 nm	0.6		640	γ	< 0.05% Na2O
SA 6*203	Bimodal pore size distribution	110	15 / 300 nm	0.8		550	α / transition (γ,θ)	< 0.05% Na2O
SA 62135	Enhanced porosity spheres	215	8 nm	0.67		650	γ	< 0.1% Na2O
SA 62240	Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	220	9 nm	0.64		600	γ	< 0.05% Na2O

Alumina-Silica

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Product*	Description	Surface Area	MPD	PV	WA	PD	Phase	Chemical Purity
		m²/g		cm³/g	%	kg/m³		wt-%
SA 5*05	Highly macroporous	0.02	130 µm	0.22	26	960	α / glassy silica	12% SiO₂
SA 5*18	Highly macroporous	0.05	115 µm	0.24	20	1080	α / glassy silica	13% SiO2
SA 5*23	Bimodal pore size distribution	0.04	15 / 150 µm	0.20	18	1240	α / glassy silica	11% SiO2
SA 5*21	Lower macroporosity	0.05	20 µm	0.25	23	1170	α / glassy silica	12% SiO2
SA 52190	Small sphere formulation	0.06	80 µm	0.30	29	1000	α / glassy silica	12% SiO2
SA 52252	Small sphere formulation	0.02	100 µm	0.27	26	980	α / glassy silica	12% SiO2
SA 5*52	Lowest macroporosity	0.35	5 µm	0.34	32	970	α / glassy silica	< 6% SiO2
SA 5*39	Bimodal pore size distribution	0.30	1.8 / 150 µm	0.43	45	800	α / glassy silica	12% SiO2
SA 5*180	MacroTrap® 1.5 media	> 1.50	0.9 / 40 µm	0.50 (1)	> 40	740	α / glassy silica	6% SiO2
SA 55207	MacroTrap® XPore 80 media	< 0.25	5 / 200 µm	0.60 (2)	> 45	515	α / glassy silica	24% SiO2
SA 3*35	Macroporous	12	1.2 µm	0.53	59	688	α / transition (γ,θ)	17.9% SiO₂
SA 3*32	Macroporous	30	1.2 µm	0.55	60	640	α / transition (γ,θ)	17.9% SiO2
SA 6*217	Alumina-silica	115	8 nm	0.55		725	α / transition (γ,θ)	1% silica
SA 6*227	Alumina-silica	225	8 nm	0.7		525	γ	3.5% silica
SS 6*155	Silica-alumina	> 400	8 / 500 nm	0.6		550	mainly amorphous	25% Al₂O₃; 035% Na2O

Zirconia

* Note: Please select for Nomenclature reference and explanation of "Product."

Product*	Description	Surface Area	MPD	PV	PD	Phase	Chemical Purity
		m²/g		cm³/g	kg/m³		wt-%
SZ 3*163	Monoclinic zirconia	55	16 / 60 nm	> 0.27	1280	monoclinic	< 0.2% SiO₂
SZ 3*108	Modified SZ 31163	70	10 / 40 nm	0.30	1200	monoclinic	< 0.2% SiO2
SZ 3*164	Monoclinic zirconia	> 85	8 / 60 nm	0.29	1160	monoclinic	< 02% SiO2
SZ 3*107	Silica doped	95	10 / 40 nm	0.30	1200	monoclinic	5% SiO2
SZ 3*140	Zirconia / titania	80	11 / 16 / 121 nm	0.46	815	mono / tetrag	40% anatase TiO₂
SZ 32243	Accu™ sphere catalyst carrier	90	45 nm	0.42	1000	monoclinic

Titania

* Note: Please select for Nomenclature reference and explanation of "Product."

Product*	Description	Surface Area	MPD	PV	PD	Phase	Chemical Purity
		m²/g		cm³/g	kg/m³		wt-%
ST 5*122	Rutile	3	> 160 nm	> 0.15	1500	> 95% rutile	< 100 ppm S
ST 3*119	Anatase (1)	40	28 nm	0.30	1200	anatase	< 0.3% S
ST 6*120	Anatase	150	15 nm	0.45	800	anatase	< 0.3% S
ST 52242	Rutile Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	7	65 nm	0.11	1700	rutile
ST 32244	Anatase Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	> 30	40 nm	> 0.30	900	> 50% anatase

Silicon Carbide

* Note: Please select for Nomenclature reference and explanation of "Product.

Product*	Description	Surface Area	MPD	PV	WA	PD	Phase	Chemical Purity
		m²/g		cm³/g	%	kg/m³		wt-%
SC 5*32	Ceramic bonded SiC	0.15	22 µm	0.27	27	960	α	13% SiO₂
SC 5*167	Enhanced porosity SiC	0.3	24 µm	0.55	55	560	α	13% SiO2
SC 5*241	Silica bonded SiC	< 0.2	8 µm	0.16	16	900	α	20% SiO2
SICAT	High surface area SiC	25 - 90	Details on request

Note: SiCAT is a business associate for self-bonded SiC catalyst supports.

Silica and Other Materials

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Product	Description	Surface Area	MPD	PV	PD	Phase	Chemical Purity
		m²/g		cm³/g	kg/m³		wt-%
Silica
SS 6*137	High surface area silica	160	11 nm	0.6	630		+99 5% SiO₂
SS 6*138	High surface area	250	12 nm	1.0	350		+99 5% SiO₂
Other
SA 6*169	JR 323 basic alumina	250	0.11 µm	1.0	400	modified alumina	4.5% CaO; 1% MgO; 0.5% SiO₂

Surface Area 0 - 10 m²/g

Saint-Gobain NorPro, Catalyst Carriers

Product*	Description	Surface Area	MPD	PV	WA	PD	Phase	Chemical Purity	Material
		m²/g		cm³/g	%	kg/m³		wt-%
SA 5*05	Highly macroporous	0.02	130 µm	0.22	26	960	α / glassy silica	12% SiO₂	alumina-silica
SA 52252	Small sphere formulation	0.02	100 µm	0.27	26	980	α / glassy silica	12% SiO2	alumina-silica
SA 5*23	Bimodal pore size distribution	0.04	15 / 150 µm	0.20	18	1240	α / glassy silica	11% SiO₂	alumina-silica
SA 5*18	Highly macroporous	0.05	115 µm	0.24	20	1080	α / glassy silica	13% SiO2	alumina-silica
SA 5*21	Lower macroporosity	0.05	20 µm	0.25	23	1170	α / glassy silica	12% SiO2	alumina-silica
SA 52190	Small sphere formulation	0.06	80 µm	0.30	29	1000	α / glassy silica	12% SiO2	alumina-silica
SC 5*32	Ceramic bonded SiC	0.15	22 µm	0.27	27	960	α	13% SiO2	silicon carbide
SA 5*51	Monomodal pore size distribution	0.18	3 µm	0.23	25	1170	α	0.3% SiO2	alumina
SA 5*61	Bimodal pore size distribution	0.25	3 µm	0.25	25	1120	α	0.3% SiO2	alumina
SA 5*39	Bimodal pore size distribution	0.30	1.8 / 150 µm	0.43	45	800	α / glassy silica	12% SiO2	alumina-silica
SC 5*167	Enhanced porosity SiC	0.3	24 µm	0.55	55	560	α	13% SiO2	silicon-carbide
SA 5*52	Lowest macroporosity	0.35	5 µm	0.34	32	970	α / glassy silica	6% SiO2	alumina-silica
SA 5*62	Trimodal pore size distribution	0.75	1/10 / 250 µm	0.53	50	845	α	0.1% SiO2	alumina
SA 5*02	Small pore	1.0	1.2 µm	0.30	29	1120	α	<0.05% SiO2	alumina
ST 5*122	Rutile	3	> 160 nm	> 0.15		1500	> 95% rutile	< 100ppm S	titania
SA 5*161	Bimodal pore size distribution	4.50	0.1 / 11 µm	0.35	35	960	α	1% SiO2	alumina
SA 52124	UniSpheres® catalyst carrier	5.00	0.15 µm	0.30	36	1040	α	< 0.1% SiO2	alumina
ST 52242	Rutile Accu™ sphere catalyst carrier	7	65 nm	0.11		1700	rutile		titania
SC 5*241	Silica bonded SiC	< 0.2	8 µm	0.16	16	900	α	20% SiO2	silicon carbide
SA 55207	MacroTrap® XPore 80 media	< 0.25	5 / 200 µm	0.60 (2)	> 45	515	α / glassy silica	24% SiO2	alumina-silica
SA 5*131	High alumina MacroTrap® media	> 0.9	1.1 / 40 µm	> 0.4 (1)	>40	< 800	α	< 1% SiO2	alumina
SA 5*180	MacroTrap® media	> 1.50	0.9 / 40 µm	0.50 (1)	> 40	740	α / glassy silica	6% SiO2	alumina-silica

* Note: Please select for Nomenclature reference and explanation of "Product."

All properties quoted are representative of production at the time this information was published. Properties of individual lots or samples may vary from these values. Properties are not to be construed as specifications and no warranty is implied or expressed by Saint-Gobain NorPro to this effect.

© Saint-Gobain NorPro, October 2018

Surface Area 10 - 120 m²/g

* Note: Please select for Nomenclature reference and explanation of "Product."

Product*	Description	Surface Area	MPD	PV	PD	Phase	Chemical Purity	Material
		m²/g		cm³/g	kg/m³		wt-%
SA 3*35	Macroporous	12	1.2 µm	0.53	688	α / transition (ƴ,Ø)	17.9% SiO₂	alumina-silica
SA 52238	Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	< 12	0.2 µm	0.50	800	α	< 0.1% SiO2	alumina
ST 32244	Anatase Accu™ sphere catalyst carrier	> 30	40 nm	> 0.30	900	> 50% anatase		titania
SA 3*32	Macroporous	30	1.2 µm	0.55	640	α / transition (ƴ,Ø)	17.9% SiO₂	alumina-silica
ST 3*119	Anatase (1)	40	28 nm	0.30	1200	anatase	< 0.3% S	titania
SA 3*132	Theta alumina	55	25 / 550 nm	> 0.8	550	mainly Ø	< 0.1% SiO2	alumina
SZ 3*163	Monoclinic zirconia	55	16 / 60 nm	> 0.27	1280	monoclinic	< 0.2% SiO2	zirconia
SZ 3*108	Modified SZ 31163	70	10 / 40 nm	0.30	1200	monoclinic	< 0.2% SiO2	zirconia
SA 3*145	Theta alumina	75	20 / 230 nm	> 0.55	650	mainly Ø	< 0.3% SiO₂; < 0.1% Na₂O	alumina
SZ 3*140	Zirconia / titania	80	11 / 16 / 121 nm	0.46	815	mono / tetrag	40% anatase TiO2	zirconia
SZ 3*164	Monoclinic zirconia	> 85	8 / 60 nm	0.29	1160	monoclinic	< 0.2% SiO2	zirconia
SZ 32243	Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	90	45 nm	0.42	1000	monoclinic		zirconia
SZ 3*107	Silica doped	95	10 / 40 nm	0.30	1200	monoclinic	5% SiO2	zirconia
SA 3*77	Transition alumina	100	10 nm	0.49	780	α / transition (ƴ,Ø)	0.1% SiO2	alumina
SA 32239	Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	100	20 nm	0.65	660	delta / theta	< 0.1% SiO2	alumina
SA 6*203	Bimodal pore size distribution	110	15 / 300 nm	0.8	550	α / transition (ƴ,Ø)	<0.05% NA2O	alumina
SA 6*217	Alumina-silica	115	8 nm	0.55	725	α / transition (ƴ,Ø)	1% silica	alumina-silica

Surface Area + 120 m²/g

* Note: Please select for Nomenclature reference and explanation of "Product."

Product*	Description	Surface Area	MPD	PV	PD	Phase	Chemical Purity	Material
		m²/g		cm³/g	kg/m³		wt-%
ST 6*120	Anatase	150	15 nm	0.45	800	anatase	< 0.3% S	titania
SS 6*137	High surface area silica	160	11 nm	0.6	630		+99.5% SiO2	silica
SA 6*78	High pore vol & lower surface area	175	13 nm	0.82	500	γ,δ	< 0.05% Na2O	alumina
SA 6*73	Standard pore volume	200	7 nm	0.6	640	γ	< 0.05% Na2O	alumina
SA 62125	UniSpheres® catalyst carrier	200	8.5 nm	0.6	640	γ	< 0.05% Na2O	alumina
SA 62135	Enhanced porosity spheres	215	8 nm	0.67	650	γ	< 0.1% Na2O	alumina
SA 62240	Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	220	9 nm	0.64	600	γ	< 0.05% Na2O	alumina
SA 6*227	Alumina-silica	225	8 nm	0.7	525	γ	3.5% silica	alumina-silica
SA 6*76	Bimodal pore size distribution	250	7 / 500 nm	1.05	450	γ	< 0.05% NA2O	alumina
SA 6*169	JR 323 basic alumina	250	0.11 µm	1.0	400	modified alumina	4.5% CaO; 1% MgO; 0.5% SiO2	other
SS 6*138	High surface area silica	250	12 nm	1.0	350		+99.5% SiO2	silica
SA 6*75	Higher pore volume	260	10 nm	0.83	545	γ	< 0.05% NA2O	alumina
SS 6*155	Silica-alumina	> 400	8 / 500 nm	0.6	550	mainly amorphous	25% Al₂O₃; O.35% NA2O	alumina-slilica

Pore Volume 0 - 0.3

* Note: Please select for Nomenclature reference and explanation of "Product."

Product*	Description	Surface Area	MPD	PV	WA	PD	Phase	Chemical Purity	Material
		m²/g		cm³/g	%	kg/m³		wt-%
ST 52242	Rutile Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	7	65 nm	0.11		1700	rutile		titania
SC 5*241	Silica bonded SiC	< 0.2	8 µm	0.16	16	900	α	20% SiO₂	silicon carbide
SA 5*05	Highly macroporous	0.02	130 µm	0.22	26	960	α / glassy silica	12% SiO2	alumina-silica
ST 5*122	Rutile	3	> 160 nm	> 0.15		1500	> 95% rutile	< 100 ppm S	titania
SA 5*23	Bimodal pore size distribution	0.04	15 / 150 µm	0.20	18	1240	α / glassy silica	11% SiO2	alumina-silica
SA 5*51	Monomodal pore size distribution	0.18	3 µm	0.23	25	1170	α	0.3% SiO2	alumina
SA 5*18	Highly macroporous	0.05	115 µm	0.24	20	1080	α / glassy silica	13% SiO2	alumina-silica
SA 5*21	Lower macroporosity	0.05	20 µm	0.25	23	1170	α / glassy silica	12% SiO2	alumina-silica
SA 5*61	Bimodal pore size distribution	0.25	3 µm	0.25	25	1120	α	0.3% SiO2	alumina
SC 5*32	Ceramic bonded SiC	0.15	22 µm	0.27	27	960	α	13% SiO2	silicon carbide
SA 52252	Small sphere formulation	0.02	100 µm	0.27	26	980	α / glassy silica	12% SiO₂	alumina-silica
SZ 3*163	Monoclinic zirconia	55	16 / 60 nm	> 0.27		1280	monoclinic	< 0.2% SiO2	zirconia
SZ 3*164	Monoclinic zirconia	> 85	8 / 60 nm	0.29		1160	monoclinic	< 0.2% SiO2	zirconia
SA 52190	Small sphere formulation	0.06	80 µm	0.30	29	1000	α / glassy silica	12% SiO2	alumina-silica
SA 5*02	Small pore	1.0	1.2 µm	0.30	29	1120	α	< 0.05% SiO2	alumina
SA 52124	UniSpheres® catalyst carrier	5.00	0.15 µm	0.30	36	1040	α	< 0.1% SiO2	alumina
ST 3*119	Anatase (1)	40	28 nm	0.30		1200	anatase	< 0.3% S	titania
SZ 3*108	Modified SZ 31163	70	10 / 40 nm	0.30		1200	monoclinic	< 0.2% SiO2	zirconia
SZ 3*107	Silica doped	95	10 / 40 nm	0.30		1200	monoclinic	5% SiO2	zirconia

Pore Volume 0.3 - 0.7

* Note: Please select for Nomenclature reference and explanation of "Product."

Product*	Description	SA	MPD	PV	WA	PD	Phase	Chemical Purity	Material
		m²/g		cm³/g	%	kg/m³		wt-%
ST 32244	Anatase Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	> 30	40 nm	> 0.30		900	> 50% anatase		titania
SA 5*52	Lowest macroporosity	0.35	5 µm	0.34	32	970	α / glassy silica	6% SiO₂	alumina-silica
SA 5*161	Bimodal pore size distribution	4.50	0.1 / 11 µm	0.35	35	960	α	1% SiO₂	alumina
SA 5*131	High alumina MacroTrap® media	> 0.9	1.1 / 40 µm	> 0.4	> 40	< 800	α	< 1% SiO₂	alumina
SZ 32243	Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	90	45 nm	0.42		1000	monoclinic		zirconia
SA 5*39	Bimodal pore size distribution	0.30	1.8 / 150 µm	0.43	45	800	α / glassy silica	12% SiO₂	alumina-silica
ST 6*120	Anatase	150	15 nm	0.45		800	anatase	<0.3% S	titania
SZ 3*140	Zirconia / titania	80	11 / 16 / 121 nm	0.46		815	mono / tetrag	40% anatase TiO₂	zirconia
SA 3*77	Transition alumina	100	10 nm	0.49		780	α / transition (γ,θ)	0.1% SiO₂	alumina
SA 52238	Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	< 12	0.2 µm	0.50	50	800	α	< 0.1% SiO₂	alumina
SA 5*180	MacroTrap® 1.5 media	> 1.50	0.9 / 40 µm	0.50	> 40	740	α / glassy silica	6% SiO₂	alumina-silica
SA 5*62	Trimodal pore size distribution	0.75	1 / 10 / 250 µm	0.53	50	845	α	0.1% SiO₂	alumina
SA 3*35	Macroporous	12	1.2 µm	0.53	59	688	α / transition (γ,θ)	17.9% SiO₂	alumina-silica
SC 5*167	Enhanced porosity SiC	0.3	24 µm	0.55	55	560	α	13% SiO₂	silicon carbide
SA 3*32	Macroporous	30	1.2 µm	0.55	60	640	α / transition (γ,θ)	17.9% SiO₂	alumina-silica
SA 6*217	Alumina-silica	115	8 nm	0.55		725	α / transition (γ,θ)	1% silica	alumina-silica
SA 3*145	Theta alumina	75	20 / 230 nm	> 0.55		650	mainly θ	< 0.3% SiO₂; < 0.1% Na₂O	alumina
SS 6*155	Silica-alumina	> 400	8 / 500 nm	0.6		550	mainly amorphous	25% Al₂O₃; 0.35% Na₂O	alumina-silica
SS 6*137	High surface area silica	160	11 nm	0.6		630		+99.5 SiO₂	silica
SA 6*73	Standard pore volume	200	7 nm	0.6		640	γ	< 0.05% Na₂O	alumina
SA 62125	UniSpheres® catalyst carrier	200	8.5 nm	0.6		640	γ	< 0.5% Na2O	alumina
SA 55207	MacroTrap® XPore 80 media	< 0.25	5 / 200 µm	0.60	> 45	515	α / glassy silica	24% SiO₂	alumina-silica
SA 62240	Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	220	9 nm	0.64		600	γ	< 0.5% Na₂O	alumina
SA 32239	Accu® sphere catalyst carrier	100	20 nm	0.65		660	delta / theta	< 0.1% SiO₂	alumina
SA 62135	Enhanced porosity spheres	215	8 nm	0.67		650	γ	< 0.1% Na₂O	alumina
SA 6*227	Alumina-silica	225	8 nm	0.7		525	γ	3.5% silica	alumina-silica

Pore Volume > 0.7

* Note: Please select for Nomenclature reference and explanation of "Product."

Product*

Description

Surface Area

MPD

Phase

Chemical Purity

Material

m²/g

cm³/g

kg/m³

wt-%

SA 6*203

Bimodal pore size distribution

110

15 / 300 nm

0.8

550

α / transition (γ,θ)

< 0.05% Na₂O

alumina

SA 3*132

Theta alumina

25 / 550 nm

> 0.8

550

mainly θ

< 0.1% SiO₂

alumina

SA 6*78

High pore vol & lower surface area

175

13 nm

0.82

500

γ,δ

< 0.05% Na₂O

alumina

SA 6*75

Higher pore volume

260

10 nm

0.83

545

< 0.05% Na₂O

alumina

SA 6*169

JR 323 basic alumina

250

0.11 µm

1.0

400

modified alumina

4.5% CaO; 1% MgO; 0.5% SiO₂

other

SS 6*138

High surface area silica

250

12 nm

1.0

350

+99.5% SiO₂

silica

SA 6*76

Bimodal pore size distribution

250

7 / 500 nm

1.05

450

< 0.05% Na₂O

alumina

Catalytic surface utilization is optimized with the tailoring of the pore size distribution -- shifting toward the low or high ends or compacting, where applicable, around a required pore size diameter. The diagram indicates the wide range of pore sizes that may be incorporated into NorPro® carriers. Note especially the ability to make materials with bimodal and trimodal pore size distributions that allow a carrier to be tailored to the exact requirements of a particular reaction.

Catalyst system optimization requires a surface area necessary to provide the optimum number of active sites and a pore size distribution to maximize the surface utilization. These optimized variables fix the remaining variable, and this is where Saint-Gobain NorPro's vast experience comes into play -- by tailoring the catalyst carrier to optimum conditions.

Surface area is very important in catalytic reactions. Surface Area is measured as low, intermediate and high and may vary for many products. The degree of variation possible depends upon the material.

Low Surface Area: 0- 10 m²/g

Low surface area carriers are characterized by large pore size plus high mechanical strength, inertness and high thermal stability. Physical properties are held to strict specifications.

Intermediate Surface Area: 10 - 120 m²/g

Our intermediate surface area carriers have found a place in industry because of their excellent balance of high catalytic activity combined with good mechanical strength.

High Surface Area: >120 m²/g

Our standard line of high surface area ceramic carriers is only a guideline to our capabilities. We offer a relatively wide range of values for pore volume, crush strength and packing density. Yet, we can hold pore volume tolerances to ±0.025 cc/gm, anywhere within the range; this determines crush strength and packing density.

Internal surface area and porosity are perhaps the most important physical attributes of the carrier because they allow active and selective catalysts to be produced. It is recognized, however, that the overall performance of the catalyst relies on a wide range of physical properties being optimized for a particular reaction.

Surface area	0.005 - 400 m²/g
Pore diameters	30 nm - 300 µm
Pore size distribution may be tailored
Pore volumes	to 1.3 cm³/g
Water absorption	to 70%
Size 300 µm spheres to 75 mm rings

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Catalyst Carrier Materials from Alumina to Zirconia

Physical Properties