Zirconium phosphate coating on aluminium foams by electrophoretic deposition for acidic catalysis

The electrophoretic deposition method has been applied for the formation of an amorphous zirconium phosphate layer on the surface of open-cell aluminum foam. The aluminum foam was fully and uniformly covered by the zirconium phosphate layer with a good mechanical adherence to the support. The obtained composites were characterized by using XRD, SEM and nitrogen adsorption. The coated aluminum foams showed high catalytic activity in the dehydration of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. This method of foam coating is much more convenient and effective than the traditional washcoating procedure, avoiding the anodization pretreatment of the foam to increase adherence.