Support and gas environment effects on the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide over Co3O4 catalysts studied in situ

We have studied the effect of different supports (CeO2, ZrO2, SiC, SiO2 and Al2O3) on catalytic performance phase stability Co3O4 nanoparticles during preferential oxidation CO (CO-PrOx) under H2-rich gas environments temperatures. Our results show that Co3O4/ZrO2 has superior activity, but transforms to Co0 consequently forms CH4 at relatively low The least reduced methanation active catalyst (Co3O4/Al2O3) also exhibits lowest activity. Co-feeding H2O CO2 suppresses over Co3O4/SiC, formation. In conclusion, weak nanoparticle-support interactions (as in Co3O4/ZrO2) favour high activity possibly via Mars-van Krevelen mechanism. However, stronger Co3O4/Al2O3) help minimise Therefore, this work reveals bi-functional role required used CO-PrOx, i.e., enhance improve Co3O4.