Short communicationCO-NO/O2 redox reactions over Cu substituted cobalt oxide spinels

•Complete CO oxidation by O2 was observed below 100 °C.•100% N2 selectivity observed below 275 °C for NO-CO redox reaction.•Greater than x = 0.2 of Cu in Co3O4 decreased the catalytic activity.•Catalysts are highly stable in the reaction conditions.•Presence of moisture has a temporary effect on the catalyst activity.

Catalytic conversion of NO and CO over Cu substituted cobalt oxide spinels show excellent activity for CO-O2 and NO-CO reactions. Lower concentration of Cu in cobalt oxide spinel is having an enhancing effect on the catalytic conversion. Best activity among the tested catalyst was found for Co2.9Cu0.1O4 and complete conversion (100%) is observed at 93 °C for CO oxidation by O2 and 209 °C for NO reduction by CO. Prepared catalysts show promising activity compared to few of the precious metal based catalysts reported in the literature. The influence of moisture and oxygen on catalytic conversion has been studied.

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