Cobalt oxides supported over ceria-zirconia coated cordierite monoliths as catalysts for deep oxidation of ethanol and N2O decomposition

Abstract

Cordierite monoliths coated with ceria-zirconia supporting cobalt oxide were prepared, examined in the deep oxidation of ethanol and N2O decomposition, and compared with pelletized commercial cobalt oxide catalyst. Interaction of Co3O4 with ceria-zirconia washcoat led to formation of Co3O4 particles with slightly worse structure ordering resulting in better reducibility than that observed for the commercial Co3O4 catalyst. In oxidation of ethanol, activity of the Co3O4-containing monoliths was comparable with that of pelletized cobalt oxide catalyst with nearly seven times higher content of active components. However, conversions of N2O over the monolith catalysts were lower. Nevertheless, incorporation of Co3O4 onto ZrO2-CeO2 washcoat increased rate of both catalytic reactions, i.e., N2O decomposition and deep ethanol oxidation.