| Alumina plays a fundamental role in the preparation of structured catalysts, either in the pure form or doped with non-aluminium elements. Due to its unique properties, alumina can be present or constitute the structured support of the catalysts (monolithic honeycombs and open-cell foams), can be used as washcoat, a high surface area layer that gives the geometrical framework a suitable morphology to support and disperse the catalytically active phase, or can be used as primer, an intermediate layer between the geometrical support and the washcoat that acts as “glue” between the two layers. This topical review gives an overview on the most recent studies concerning the adoption of alumina for the preparation of structured catalysts. In particular, the fundamental role of alumina as washcoat is deepened. Among the different methods available to coat a structured support with an alumina porous layer, the focus is put on the slurry coating process. The efforts towards the comprehension of the phenomena occurring during the preparation of the slurry and towards the rationalization of the washcoating process conditions are also discussed. |
