Structural evolution in LaCoO3 by polyol treatment: Highly active and resistant Co3O4/La2O2CO3/LaCoO3 heterostructure catalysts for CH4 oxidation

• Published in: Applied catalysis. B, Environmental Environmental, 2023-12, Vol.338, p.123079, Article 123079
• Main Authors: Wang, Yahan, Wang, Saifei, Bai, Jingyu, Zhang, Long, Zhao, Shiguang, Deng, Jiguang, Tang, Xiaolong, Duan, Erhong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Heterostructure catalysts; Highly resistant; Interfacial effects; Methane oxidation; Reactive oxygen species
• ISSN: 0926-3373; 1873-3883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2023.123079

The development of high-performance nonprecious metal catalysts that are resistant to water and poisoning is of great importance for industrial methane treatment and is challenging. Herein, we prepared a Co3O4/La2O2CO3/LaCoO3 heterostructure catalyst with excellent catalytic performance (T90 =476 °C), resistance to water and resistance to poisoning using a simple solvent-thermal method. DFT calculations combined with experimental characterization demonstrated that La2O2CO3 provides more reactive oxygen species (O- and O2-) to Co3O4 via charge transfer at the interface to enhance the oxidation of methane. Moreover, water and SO2 could be preferentially adsorbed on La2O2CO3 to protect the active site of Co3O4, which improved its poisoning tolerance. Correspondingly, the structure had more density states near the Fermi level and accelerated the electron transfer on the structural surface, which enhanced the adsorption and dissociation of oxygen and methane. This research provides a comprehensive understanding of the structure-performance relationship of heterogeneous structured catalysts in catalytic combustion. [Display omitted] •The Co3O4/La2O2CO3/LaCoO3 oxide interface was prepared by a solvent-thermal strategy.•La2O2CO3 provides active oxygen (O- and O2-) to Co3O4 through charge transfer.•The formation of Co3O4/La2O2CO3/LaCoO3 heterostructure reduces the Co-O bond energy.•The synergistic effect of Co3O4 and La2O2CO3 enhances the energy transfer at the interface.•The excellent poisoning resistance comes from the protection of Co3O4 by La2O2CO3.