Facile one-step solvothermal synthesis of Co3O4/CuO nanoflowers as an excellent catalyst for CO oxidation in coal mines

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2024-10, Vol.1003, p.175666, Article 175666
• Main Authors: Teng, Yifei, Wen, Jiahui, Lu, Meng, He, Ziqi, Jia, Zhe, Li, Yingdi, Sun, Yashengnan, Gao, Fei, Zhou, Xihua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalyst; CO elimination; Co3O4/CuO nanoflower; Coal mine safety; Solvothermal synthesis
• ISSN: 0925-8388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.175666

In the present study, Cobalt oxide (Co3O4)/Copper oxide (CuO) nanoflower catalysts were synthesized through a one-step solvothermal method, and the impact of various factors, including reaction time, on the catalytic activity of the catalysts towards carbon monoxide (CO) was investigated. The results showed that the catalysts synthesized at 140 °C and a reaction time of 4 h provided the best catalytic performance for carbon monoxide, and the regular nanoflower-like morphology provided a larger specific surface area as well as a greater number of active sites, allowing the instantaneous 100 % elimination of CO at 200 °C. Additionally, a plausible reaction mechanism was elucidated, wherein CO initially adsorbed onto the sample's surface, subsequently reacting with lattice oxygen to form intermediate carbonate species. This process ultimately led to the production of carbon dioxide (CO2), followed by the desorption of CO2 molecules from the sample's surface. The results demonstrate that these composite catalysts effectively mitigate CO levels during CO over limit in coal mines, thereby enhancing the safety of production personnel. •Co3O4/CuO nanoflowers were synthesised by a one-step solvothermal method, and the factors affecting their morphology and the catalytic performance of CO oxidation were investigated respectively.•The Co3O4/CuO nanoflowers obtained under the reaction time of 4 h demonstrated the best catalytic performance and the catalytic mechanism of the catalyst largely followed the Mars-van-Krevelen (MvK) mechanism.•The Co3O4/CuO nanoflowers could provide good hydrophobicity, which is promising for use in wet coal mines.