The methodology for preparing mixed metal oxide catalysts has changed little over the last 60 years. Typically metal nitrate solutions are co-precipitated using a base to yield precursors that are then calcined to form the oxide catalysts. This uses copious amounts of aqueous base and generates large quantities of nitrate rich effluent that is expensive to treat. Due to the crude preparation methodology, catalysts prepared in this way comprise a complex mixture of mixed oxide and single oxide phases. This leads to a waste of the active metals, which can be present either as inactive phases or as unselective phases, which reduce the activity and selectivity of the final catalyst. In Cardiff, we have been exploring new methods for synthesizing mixed metal oxides for use as catalysts and supports. A number of methodologies have been used to control the composition, morphology and surface area of mixed metal oxide materials to produce catalysts and supports with improved catalyst performance.

Jonathan Bartley obtained his PhD at the Leverhulme Centre for Innovative Catalysis at the University of Liverpool, before moving to Cardiff University where he is now an Assistant Director of the Cardiff Catalysis Institute. His research is focused on exploring new methods for synthesising metal oxides and mixed metal oxides for use as catalysts and supports that will give improved catalyst performance and he has published 90 papers in this area. He was awarded the Envirowise Green Manufacturing prize by the Institution of Chemical Engineers in 2007 for work into green catalyst synthesis using supercritical antisolvent precipitation.