Highly active nano-composite of cobalt-copper-manganese oxides for room temperature CO oxidation

Abstract

The nano-composite metal oxides are emerging catalytic materials and can be utilized to remediate exhaust pollutants in an energy-efficient way. Thus, Co-Cu-Mn mixed oxide spinel was developed with a glycine combustion route for CO oxidation studies. The composites were characterized by XRD, TEM, N sub(2)-sorption, CO-TPD studies for understanding the structural, particle, and surface nature of the catalysts. The formation of the solid solution was confirmed of Mn in Co-Cu oxides. Furthermore, the high surface area and porosity of Co-Cu-10Mn showed high CO chemisorption and high activity as compared to other Mn composed Co-Cu catalysts. The catalyst composed of 10 percent of Mn achieved 100 percent conversion of CO at a low temperature, i.e., 38 degrees C. The superior catalytic property of Co-Cu-10Mn is attributed to the CuO species from the solid material that has a more excellent synergistic interaction with Co and Mn. These stronger interactions were creating a vacancy site for CO at room temperature. Also, the reaction stability for 6 h was tested without any loss in the catalytic performance.