Preparation and characterization of a mixed catalyst of cobalt and molybdenum carried on aluminum oxide prepared from bentonite ore

The research aims to select one of the natural ores (bentonite clays) for preparing alumina (Al2O3) and using it as a support material for the catalyst. The components of the ore were studied using modern techniques such as energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) technique and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique. Then, alumina (aluminum oxide) was prepared from the bentonite ore after a series of chemical treatments were carried out on it in order to remove the components that negatively affect the effectiveness of the catalyst under study. After that, the catalyst consisting of transition elements (cobalt/molybdenum) supported on alumina was prepared and its chemical content was identified and the weight and atomic percentages were determined by measuring energy dispersive X-rays (EDX) and identifying its thermal stability by conducting thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The structure of the prepared catalyst was examined using BET technique and SEM (scanning electron microscope) measurement, in addition to X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurements to identify the percentages of the minerals composing the catalyst, and then estimate the percentage of these elements in their oxide form. KEYWORDS: Catalyst, Bentonite, Cobalt, Molybdenum. Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2025, 39(3), 473-482. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v39i3.7