Cutting the cost to combust methane by embellishing the Co-O-Cu interaction in Cu-incorporated Co3O4-based nanocatalysts

Abstract

Ingredient control brings huge promise for fabricating high-performance Co₃O₄-based nanomaterials. Herein, for steering the microstructure and properties of Co₃O₄ system, copper components were incorporated into Co₃O₄ through a facile coprecipitation ploy taking n-butylamine as the precipitant. At fitting Cu-addition level, dual Co-O-Cu interactions were established by sharing oxygen species, which was based on the partial replacement of Co²⁺ by Cu²⁺ in Co₃O₄ lattice and creation of hetero-interfaces between surface dispersed CuO and Co₃O₄. Resultly, CH₄ combustion efficiency on tailored catalysts was elevated by lessened crystalline sizes, higher dislocation density, preferable capability towards reduction, more abundant Lewis acidic sites, larger surface concentration of Co³⁺ sites, and the easy regeneration of active surface lattice oxygen contributed from richer O-vacancies. The above optimal attributes-induced supreme activity was accomplished on 0.4Cu-Co₃O₄ (molar ratio at 0.4), who was revealed to follow MvK CH₄ combustion mechanistic model, and to manifest a decent long-term durability in anhydrous condition. Besides, results underscored that Cu-addition presented tiny contribution for water-resistance.