Low-Temperature Propane Activation and Mineralization over a Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Sub-nanometer Porous Sheet: Atomic-Level Insights
Yanfei Jian, Zeyu Jiang, Mingjiao Tian, Mudi Ma, Lianghui Xia, Shouning Chai, Jingjing Wang, Reem Albilali, Chi He
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Light alkanes make up a class of widespread volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bringing great environmental hazards and health concerns. However, the low-temperature catalytic destruction of light alkanes is still a great challenge to settle due to their high reaction inertness and weak polarity. Herein, a Co 3 O 4 sub-nanometer porous sheet (Co 3 O 4 -SPS) was fabricated and comprehensively compared with its bulk counterparts in the catalytic oxidation of C 3 H 8 . Results demonstrated that abundant low-coordinated Co atoms on the Co 3 O 4 -SPS surface boost the activation of adsorbed oxygen and enhance the catalytic activity. Moreover, Co 3 O 4 -SPS has better surface metal properties, which is beneficial to electron transfer between the catalyst surface and the reactant molecules, promoting the interaction between C 3 H 8 molecules and dissociated O atoms and facilitating the activation of C–H bonds. Due to these, Co 3 O 4 -SPS harvests a prominent performance for C 3 H 8 destruction, 100% of which decomposed at 165 °C (apparent activation energy of 49.4 kJ mol –1 ), much better than the bulk Co 3 O 4 (450 °C and 126.9 kJ mol –1 ) and typical noble metal catalysts. Moreover, Co 3 O 4 -SPS also has excellent thermal stability and water resistance. This study deepens the atomic-level insights into the catalytic capacity of Co 3 O 4 -SPS in light alkane purification and provides references for designing efficacious catalysts for thermocatalytic oxidation reactions.