Mixed oxides obtained from Co and Mn containing layered double hydroxides:: Preparation, characterization, and catalytic properties

Co-Mn-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with various Co:Mn:Al molar ratios (4:2:0, 4:1.5:0.5, 4:1:1, 4:0.5:1.5, and 4:0:2) were prepared and characterized. Magnesium containing LDHs Co-Mg-Mn (2:2:2), Co-Mg-Mn-Al (2:2: 1: 1), and Co-Mg-Al (2:2:2) were also studied. Thermal decomposition of prepared LDHs and formation of related mixed oxides were studied using high-temperature Xray powder diffraction and thermal analysis. The thermal decomposition of Mg-free LDHs starts by their partial dehydration accompanied by shrinkage of the lattice parameter c from ca. 0.76 to 0.66 nm. The dehydration temperature of the Co-Mn-Al LDHs decreases with increasing Mn content from 180 degrees C in Co-Al sample to 120 degrees C in sample with Co:Mn:Al molar ratio of 4:1.5:0.5. A subsequent step is a complete decomposition of the layered structure to nanocrystalline spinel, the complete dehydration, and finally decarbonation of the mixed oxide phase. Spinel-type oxides were the primary crystallization products. Mg-containing primary spinels had practically empty tetrahedral cationic sites. A dramatic increase of the spinel cell size upon heating and analysis by Raman spectroscopy revealed a segregation of Co-rich spinel in Co-Mn and Co-Mn-Al specimens. In calcination products obtained at 500 degrees C, the spinel mean coherence length was 5-10 nm, and the total content of the X-ray diffraction crystalline portion was 50-90%. These calcination products were tested as catalysts in the total oxidation of ethanol and decomposition of N2O. The catalytic activity in ethanol combustion was enhanced by increasing (Co + Mn) content while an optimum content of reducible components was necessary for high activity in N2O decomposition, where the highest conversions were found for calcined Co-Mn-Al sample with Co:Mn:Al molar ratio of 4: 1: 1. (C) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.