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Synthesis and characterization of novel mesocomposites Co3O4 and CuO@OMS (ordered mesoporous silica) as active catalysts for hydrocarbon oxidation

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Abstract

Novel metal nanoporous transition metal oxides M x O y (Co3O4, CuO) have been synthesized by thermal decomposition of inorganic salts precursors (acetates, nitrates) impregnated into hexagonal mesoporous silica (OMS, ordered mesoporous silica) of SBA-15 type (prepared in-house) at different precursor loadings, the mesocomposites thus obtained being monitored after each impregnation–calcination step by small and wide angle powder XRD. The pore size for the ordered silica host range from 5.08 to 7.06 nm. Retention of the hexagonal silica framework has been observed in spite of the temperatures up to 500 °C. Mesoporous Co3O4 has been obtained by leaching the silica through overnight HF dissolution, which partially preserved the small-range ordering found in the parent Co3O4@OMS composite prior to leaching. Both Co3O4 (meso) and Co3O4@SBA-15 have been tested in methane oxidation and were found to be superior to the bulk Co3O4 performance, with mesoporous Co3O4 being able to fully oxidize methane to CO2 and H2O at 350 °C, while Co3O4@OMS exhibits a lower activity with 20 % conversion at 350 °C. CuO@OMS shows the lowest activity, with only ~13 % conversion at 500 °C.

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Abbreviations

OMS:

Ordered mesoporous silica

TM:

Transition metal

XRD:

X-ray diffraction

SAXS:

Small angle XRD

WAXRD:

Wide angle XRD

SEM:

Scanning electron microscopy

TEM:

Transmission electron microscopy

SAED:

Selected area electron diffraction

ICDD:

International center for diffraction data

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Acknowledgments

Support of the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research through the project PNCDI-2 No. 72-196/2008 “New complex hydrides for hydrogen storage in hydride tank suitable for vehicular applications”—STOHICO and the financial support of the POSDRU-ID5159 doctoral fellowship are acknowledged. This work was partially supported from the Romanian Core Programme (Contract No. 45N/2014). I am grateful to Prof. Cornelia Guran for insightful discussions. I am in debt to senior researcher Viorica Pârvulescu for catalytic studies and insightful suggestions. I strongly acknowledge the support received from Prof. Giovanni Principi regarding training and usage of the research facilities at Universita Degli Studi di Padova, Italy, where most of this research was carried out.

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  1. Inorganic Chemistry Department, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Polizu St., No. 1–7, 011061, Bucharest, România

    Cezar Comănescu

  2. National Institute of Materials Physics, Atomiştilor St., No. 105 bis, 077125, Măgurele, România

    Cezar Comănescu

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Correspondence to Cezar Comănescu.

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Comănescu, C. Synthesis and characterization of novel mesocomposites Co3O4 and CuO@OMS (ordered mesoporous silica) as active catalysts for hydrocarbon oxidation. J Nanopart Res 16, 2323 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-014-2323-4

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