Catalyst Coating Techniques for Micro Structures and Their Application in Fuel Processing

Catalyst Coating Techniques for Micro Structures and Their Application in Fuel Processing 

This section deals with coating techniques for micro structured reactors. The various techniques available are briefly discussed and their applicability for the different bonding techniques as discussed in the previous section is taken into consideration. 

In addition to the coating techniques discussed below, one may also consider making the whole micro reactor out of the catalytically active material [44]. However, as precious metals are frequently used, this is not a cost-competitive option for mass production, of course. 

Additionally, thin-film layers of the catalyst may be deposited on to the surface of the micro channels by sputtering [73] or CVD [63], In the latter case, aluminum isopropoxide, Al[(CH3)2CHO]3, was used as alumina precursor, which was passed through a ready-stacked reactor at 300 °C for 1 h in a flow containing nitrogen and oxygen in addition. The flow direction was subsequently changed and the procedure repeated. 

These methods do not, however, generate the surface area that is required in most cases to achieve sufficient reactor productivity. 

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