Highly active rod-like Co3O4 catalyst for the formaldehyde oxidation reaction

Abstract In this study, rod-like Co 3 O 4 (Co 3 O 4 -rod) nanocatalyst was prepared by a modified precipitation method, which showed an excellent performance for formaldehyde oxidation to carbon dioxide and water. The light-off temperature (10% conversion) and the temperature for complete conversion of formaldehyde was at 60 °C and 120 °C, respectively. XPS and CO 2 -TPD analyses indicated that Co 3 O 4 -rod had abundant Co 3 + and OH (hydroxyl) species on the surface compared with other morphologies of Co 3 O 4 investigated (e.g. Co 3 O 4 -sheet and Co 3 O 4 -cube). It was proposed that Co 3 + ions should be considered as active sites of good oxidation ability for formaldehyde catalytic oxidation.