Abstract: A novel nanometer iron oxide support was successfully synthesized by the sol-gel method. The results of X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and N2 physical adsorption show that the prepared Fe2O3 particles have a typical mesoporous structure with pore diameters of 18~8[KG-45x]-[KG-20x]25~0 nm. The effect of the crystal phase composition of Fe2O3 on catalytic activity of the Ru-K/γ-Fe2O3 catalyst was further investigated under the conditions of 475 ℃, 10 MPa, 10?000 h-1, and V(H2)/V(N2)=3. The higher the content of γ-Fe2O3 in the support, the better the catalytic activity of the catalyst.

Key words: sol-gel method, mesoporous iron oxide, support, ruthenium, potassium, ammonia synthesis