Plasma assisted preparation of cobalt catalysts by sol–gel method for methane combustion

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology Vol. 47; no. 3; pp. 354 - 359
• Main Authors: Chen, Mu-hua, Chu, Wei, Zhu, Jun-jie, Dong, Lin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.09.2008; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalysts; Ceramics; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cobalt; Colloidal gels. Colloidal sols; Colloidal state and disperse state; Combustion; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Fourier transforms; General and physical chemistry; Glass; Gravimetric analysis; Ignition temperature; Infrared analysis; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Science; Methane; Nanotechnology; Natural Materials; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Paper; Plasma; Sol-gel processes; Spectrum analysis; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Titration; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy; X-ray diffraction; Cobalt Catalyst; Plasma; Methane catalytic combustion; Sol–gel; Methane; Cobalt Catalyst, Plasma; Heterogeneous catalysis; Catalytic combustion; Sol gel process; Preparation; Sol-gel; Transition metal; Cobalt; Catalyst
• ISSN: 0928-0707; 1573-4846
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-008-1802-4

Novel cobalt catalysts were prepared by sol–gel method, and enhanced by plasma treatment, for methane catalytic combustion. These samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelactron spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetrical analysis, N 2 Adsorption–desorption, temperature-programmed reduction and hydrogen–oxygen titration technologies. The XPS characterizations suggested that plasma treatment was favorable for the enrichment of surface cobalt, with a value of surface cobalt from 2.2% to 8.5% in mole. The specific surface area of the glow plasma assised sample (Co-Plas-Solgel-2) increased to 320 m 2 /g comparing with 305 m 2 /g of the conventional sample (Co-Solgel-1). The ignition temperature (T 10% ) of Co-Plas-Solgel-2 catalyst was about 50 °C lower than that of Co-Solgel-1, and its CH 4 conversion was two times higher than that of Co-Solgel-1 during the whole range of catalytic combustion activity test (340–520 °C). With a better dispersion and more active sites, the plasma assisted sample exhibited significant enhancement in catalytic performances.