Sub-molten salt-acid treatment of LaCoO3 for a highly active catalyst towards propane combustion

LaCoO3 was treated by a sub-molten salt-acid (S-A) approach to remove La cations from the solid structure. The resulting catalyst possessed disordered spinel Co3O4 structure and higher Co2+/Co3+ ratio on the surface, which induced the formation of oxygen vacancies. The new formed mesoporous material had a significantly increased specific surface area and enhanced accessibility of active sites. As a result, the catalyst was much active towards propane combustion with lower T-90, ca. 238 degrees C compared with the pristine LaCoO3 (T-90 = 370 degrees C) and the hydrothermally synthesized Co3O4 (T-90 = 281 degrees C).