Abstract
In this study, two cobalt based catalyst samples were prepared on titania and titania nanotubes supports
using the deposition precipitation method. Their structural configurations were characterized and
compared using BET, and TRP analyses. The BET analysis showed that the surface area of TiO2 is much
higher than that of TNT which was due to their structural differences. Analyses of the results obtained revealed
that the surface area of the 10 % Co/TNT catalyst sample is higher than that of the 10 % Co/TiO2.
The TPR analysis showed that it is much easier to reduce 10 % Co/TiO2, than 10 % Co/TNT. This is attributed
to be due to the fact that the cobalt particles were adsorbed on the surface of the TiO2, and formed
covalent bonds with TNT. Therefore reduction temperature was higher with TNT than TiO2. The investigation
of structural changes of these catalysts when they were coated with carbon, using chemical vapour
deposition method was also conducted. The catalyst prepared on TNT support showed better properties in
terms of average pore diameter, pore volume and surface area than the catalyst sample prepared on TiO2
support when the two samples were exposed to carbon environment for the same period of time.