Facile Synthesis of a Novel Ultra-low Density Praseodymium Oxide Aerogel for Catalyst and Adsorbent

Abstract The pure praseodymium oxide aerogel with ultra-low density (about 10.7 mg/cm3) was prepared by using solution-freeze-drying-calcination method for the first time. The results of BET, SEM and TEM indicated that the pure praseodymium oxide aerogel belonged to the mesoporous material, which showed a typical three-dimensional porous structure. The results of TG/DSC showed that the praseodymium oxide aerogel could decrease the ammonium perchlorate decomposition temperature by 54.7 °C and enhance the heat production from 121.3 J/g to 838.5 J/g. The maximum adsorption amounts of praseodymium oxide aerogel reached 251.1 mg/g for uranium. This method provides a new strategy for preparation of low density metal oxide aerogels.