Influence of preparation method on dispersion of cobalt spinel over alumina extrudates and the catalyst deN2O activity

A series of supported catalysts of the Co3O4 spinel active phase dispersed over alumina extrudates (9 x 25 mm) was prepared by several methods (incipient wetness impregnation with Co(NO3)(2) and CoCl2, with glycerol-assisted impregnation with Co(NO3)(2), combustion synthesis, and two variants of spray deposition with Co(NO3)(2) on pristine and ammonia soaked extrudates). The catalysts were characterized by XRF, XRD, RS, UV-vis, SEM/TEM/EDX, and their catalytic deN(2)O activity was investigated in the temperature programmed surface reaction (TPSR) mode. The relation between the spinel active phase particle size and its radial dispersion over the alumina extrudate and the deN(2)O activity was revealed and quantified. For the assessment of the active phase utilization, the N2O concentration profile across the extrudates was calculated using Thiele modulus and compared with the radial distribution of the spinel. It was shown that the dispersion of spinel active phase exhibits optimal profile when the sample is obtained in the presence of the organic components of the precursor mixture (glycerol or urea). The obtained results were discussed in the context of practical implications for the development of an efficient, low-cost catalyst for the N2O abatement. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.