Oxidation of NO over cobalt oxide supported on mesoporous silica

Cobalt oxide catalysts supported on mesoporous silica (Co3O4/MPS) were prepared, characterized and applied for catalytic oxidation of NO. Effects of catalyst supports, calcination temperatures, H2O and SO2 on NO conversion were investigated. The samples were also characterized by BET, XRD, FTIR and TG/DTG. The results suggested that Co3O4/MPS catalyst calcined at 573 K had the smallest crystal particles and the best Surface dispersion. This catalyst had the highest activity and yielded 82% NO conversion at 573 K, at a space velocity of 12000 h(-1). Although the conversion of NO decreased with the introduction of H2O, it could be restored completely after removing residual H2O from Co3O4/MPS catalyst by heating at 573 K. In the presence of SO2, the oxidation activity decreased and CoSO4 was detected on the catalyst. The NO conversion decreased to 30.2% in the presence of SO2 and H2O. It could not be restored completely after cutting off H2O and SO2. The deactivation of the catalyst in the presence of SO2 and H2O was attributed to the formation of cobalt sulfate species.