1.Lvliang Vocational and Technical College, Xiaoyi 032300, China
2.Institute of Molecular Science, Key Laboratory of High-Performance Energy Storage Materials and Systems of Shanxi Province, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
The development of high-efficiency catalysts capable of enabling low-temperature methane combustion is the core technical approach to reducing nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emission. Moreover, the micro-morphology of the catalyst exerts a determinant influence on its key performances such as catalytic activity and stability. Aiming at the technical bottlenecks of low specific surface area and insufficient low-temperature catalytic activity in Co3O4 catalysts prepared by conventional synthesis methods, this study successfully constructed a mesoporous catalyst Co3O4-H-1 with a large specific surface area and well-developed pore structure in the Co3O4 matrix through the synergistic regulation strategy of Sr element loading and moderate acid treatment. The introduction of Sr significantly suppressed the high-temperature agglomeration of Co3O4, leading to a notable reduction in the grain size of Co3O4-H-1. This structure facilitates the exposure of more active sites and enhances mass transfer of reactant gases. Meanwhile, the increased Co2+ content indicates the presence of more oxygen vacancies in the sample, which improves the catalyst's ability to adsorb and activate oxygen, thereby enhancing its catalytic performance for low-temperature methane combustion. Experimental results show that Co3O4-H-1 exhibits excellent low-temperature catalytic activity for low-concentration methane oxidation, with T50 and T90 values of 323 ℃ and 435 ℃, respectively. This study provides new insights and strategies for developing efficient catalysts for low-temperature methane combustion.
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