Comparison between unsupported mesoporous Co3O4 and supported Co3O4 on mesoporous silica as catalysts for N2O decomposition

• Mesoporous Co3O4, by a soft-template method, lost mesopores at a high temperature.
• Co3O4 supported on mesoporous silica showed activity for N2O decomposition.
• Co3O4 on mesoporous silica is better than mesoporous Co3O4 for N2O decomposition.
• The calcination temperature of Co3O4 on mesoporous silica should be less 550 °C.

Mesoporous Co3O4 (meso-Co3O4) and Co3O4 nanoparticles supported on mesoporous silica SBA-15 (Co/SBA-15) were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and an impregnation method, respectively. Although the as-prepared meso-Co3O4 had mesopores and a higher surface area comparable to that of Co/SBA-15, its catalytic activity for N2O decomposition was much lower than that of Co3O4/SBA-15. The low catalytic activity of meso-Co3O4 mainly stems from the drastic decrease of the meso-Co3O4 surface area under the reaction condition used. On the other hand, Co/SBA-15 maintained its high surface area and mesopores with the aid of a robust silica support. This finding indicates that Co3O4 supported by a support is much more stable and efficient than meso-Co3O4 under N2O decomposition reaction conditions.

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