Copper Manganese Oxides Supported on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as an Efficient Catalyst for Low Temperature CO Oxidation

• Published in: Catalysis letters 2016-11, Vol.146 (11), p.2364-2375
• Main Authors: Guo, Yafei, Lin, Jin, Li, Changhai, Lu, Shouxiang, Zhao, Chuanwen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Bimetals; Carbonates; Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Confined spaces; Copper; Diffraction; Energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy; Field emission microscopy; Fourier transforms; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Infrared spectroscopy; Low temperature; Manganese oxides; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Nanotubes; Organometallic Chemistry; Oxidation; Oxidation-reduction reaction; Oxides; Photoelectrons; Physical Chemistry; Scanning electron microscopy; Spectrum analysis; Stability analysis; X-ray diffraction; X-ray spectroscopy; X-rays
• ISSN: 1011-372X; 1572-879X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10562-016-1869-4

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with unique properties are finding increasing utility in catalytic applications. In this work, Cu–Mn@MWCNTs (copper manganese oxides supported on MWCNTs) was synthesized as an efficient catalyst for low temperature CO oxidation. The catalyst was characterized by N 2 adsorption–desorption, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The CO oxidation activity and long-term working stability of the catalyst were evaluated in 0.1–0.5 % CO and balanced air using a modified fixed-bed reactor. The effects of CO concentration and Cu/Mn molar ratio on the CO oxidation performances were also demonstrated. The increasing CO concentration (0.1–0.5 %) will impair the CO oxidation performances due to the covering of active sites and formation of carbonates and/or hydroxyl species. The increased CO oxidation activity with the changing Cu/Mn molar ratio (1:8–1:1) is ascribed to the improving oxygen utilization in the redox process by increasing Cu content. The synergistic interaction within the Cu–Mn bimetallic catalytic system and the unique properties of the MWCNTs support are also highlighted for the enhanced CO oxidation activity. The catalyst could be considered as a promising option for removing trace CO from typical confined spaces such as space-crafts, submarines and mine refuge chambers. Graphical Abstract