Robust Co3O4|α-Al2O3| cordierite structured catalyst for N2O abatement - Validation of the SCS method for active phase synthesis and deposition

Co3O4 vertical bar alpha-Al2O3 vertical bar cordierite structured catalysts were developed, optimizing washcoating procedure, active phase loading, and its deposition method via impregnation and solution combustion synthesis (SCS). The catalysts were thoroughly characterized by XRD, mu RS, SEM/EDS, and BET, revealing that the catalyst layer deposited over cordierite carrier, consists of a washcoated micrometric alpha-Al2O3 (0.1-0.3 mu m grains), where spinel nanocrystals (30-50 nm) were uniformly dispersed. It was found out that the SCS method to synthesize and finely disperse spinel nanoparticles results in significant better catalytic performance in low-temperature N2O decomposition than the classic impregnation method. The effectiveness factor evaluated, based on catalyst morphological features and deN(2)O catalytic results, was found to be approximate to 1. The determined mass transfer coefficients and type of the catalyst working regime (purely kinetic in the whole temperature range) provide the useful platform for rational design of a real deN(2)O catalyst.