The role of zirconia in cobaltosic oxide catalysts for low-temperature CO oxidation

Abstract

A series of Co₃O₄/ZrO₂ catalysts for low-temperature CO oxidation was prepared with different ZrO₂ loadings and different preparation methods, and then characterized by low-temperature N₂ adsorption/desorption, XRD, TEM, XPS, UV-vis, CO-TPR, CO adsorption and CO₂ desorption. The results show that ZrO₂ not only increases the specific area and decreases the crystal size of Co₃O₄ in CZ-c-20 and CZ-f-20, but also promotes production of Co²⁺ and –O⁻, which shows the high catalytic activity for CO oxidation. The facile decomposition of carbonate and the high redox properties over ZrO₂ promote the catalytic stability for CO oxidation.