Novel application of depleted fullerene soot (DFS) as support of catalysts for low-temperature reduction of NO with CO

Depleted fullerene soot (DFS) with fullerene residue content of about 2.2–3.2% are investigated in order to elucidate the possibility for their use as support of catalysts in low-temperature reduction of NO with CO. Bimetalic copper–cobalt and copper–manganese oxides supported on DFS are prepared. All samples are characterized by chemical analysis, XRD, SEM, IR spectroscopy, XPS, nitrogen adsorption measurements. The two DFS supported bimetallic catalysts manifest a high activity towards the reduction of NO with CO at temperatures below 150 °C, the CuCo/DFS being the more active one. The peculiarity of the support DFS predetermines the porous texture of the catalysts. The occurrence of a specific metal–support interaction favors the formation of the mixed oxide spinels CuCo2O4 and Cu1.5Mn1.5O4 that are responsible for the enhanced activity.

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