This paper reports the results of a study on the preparation of structured catalysts by chemical conversion coating. The ceria coating was realized by reacting suitably pre-treated aluminum structures with an oxidizing solution of cerium chloride; the obtained samples were characterized by means of several analytical techniques to evaluate the coverage percentage, the surface morphology and the surface chemical structure. A preliminary screening on the reactivity of the system, to find the better operative conditions, was carried out on square plates in order to realize a suitable plating bath for the preparation of a structured catalyst, made up of aluminium foam carrier. The obtained catalyst was loaded with platinum as active phase and tested in water gas shift reaction for hydrogen production.
