Catalytic activity of nanometer La1−xSrxCoO3 (x = 0, 0.2) perovskites towards VOCs combustion

Combustive oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as propyl alcohol, toluene and cyclohexane, were studied. The combustion was catalyzed by nanoparticles of La1−xSrxCoO3 (x = 0, 0.2) perovskites prepared by a co-precipitation method. The results showed high activities of the perovskite catalysts. Compared to LaCoO3, in particular, La0.8Sr0.2CoO3 was much higher in catalytic ability. The total oxidation of VOCs followed the increasing order: cyclohexane < toluene < propyl alcohol. The T99% of cyclohexane was 40 °C lower than that of toluene, which appeared to be determined by the bond strengths of the weakest C–H and C–C bonds. The 100-h stability experiments showed that La1−xSrxCoO3 (x = 0, 0.2) perovskite was highly stable.