Chen-Bin Wang

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide over cobalt oxide

A mix-valenced cobalt oxide, CoOx, was prepared from cobalt nitrate aqueous solution through a precipitation with sodium hydroxide and an oxidation by hydrogen peroxide. Further, other pure cobalt oxide species were refined from the CoOx by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) at 170, 230 and 300 °C (labeled as R-170, R-230 and R-300, respectively). They were characterized by X-ray (XRD), infrared (IR), thermogravimetry (TG) and TPR. The major composition of CoOx is CoO(OH), with a small amount of Co4+ species; R-170 is CoO(OH) with a hexagonal structure; R-230 is Co3O4 with a spinel structure and R-300 is CoO with a cubic structure. Their catalytic activities toward the CO oxidation were further studied in a continuous flow microreactor. The results indicated that the relative activity decreased significantly with the oxidation state of cobalt, i.e., CoO(+2)≳Co3O4(+8/3)≫CoO(OH)( +3)≳CoOx(>+3).

In situ FTIR study of cobalt oxides for the oxidation of carbon monoxide

A high-valance cobalt oxide, CoOx, was prepared from cobalt nitrate aqueous solution through precipitation with sodium hydroxide and oxidation by hydrogen peroxide. Further, other pure cobalt oxide species were refined from the CoOx by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) to 170, 230 and 300 °C. They were characterized by TPR and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Adsorption of CO and the co-adsorption of CO/O2 over the cobalt oxides were further tested by in situ FTIR. It was shown that Co3O4 is quite active for the oxidation of CO at room temperature in the presence of oxygen, leading to the formation of CO2. The variation in the oxidation of CO was interpreted with a mechanism involving two kinds of oxygen species, i.e., *-O2 on the CoOx surface and *-OL on the surface of Co3O4 spinel structure.

High efficiency degradation of 4-nitrophenol by microwave-enhanced catalytic method

Application of the microwave-enhanced catalytic degradation (MECD) method on the abatement of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) using nickel oxide was studied. A mix-valenced nickel oxide was prepared from nickel nitrate aqueous solution through a precipitation with sodium hydroxide and an oxidation by sodium hypochlorite with/without microwave-assisted heating. They were characterized by X-ray (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), and transmission electron micrographs (TEM). Their catalytic activities towards the degradation of 4-NP were investigated through continuous bubbling of air during the liquid phase and evaluated quantitatively with high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Also, the effect of the kinds of catalyst, temperature, pH, initial concentration, and dosage of catalyst on the efficiency of 4-NP degradation was investigated. The results showed that the 4-NP was completely degraded using the high efficiency MECD method within 15 min under [H(+)] = 1.0M, T = 40 °C, and C = 200 ppm over nickel oxide.

Microwave-enhanced catalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol over nickel oxides under low temperature.

Microwave-enhance catalytic degradation (MECD) of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) using nickel oxide was studied. A mix-valenced nickel oxide was obtained from nickel nitrate aqueous solution through a precipitation with sodium hydroxide and an oxidation by sodium hypochlorite (assigned as PO). Then, the as-prepared PO was irradiated under microwave irradiation to fabricate a high active mix-valenced nickel oxide (assigned as POM). Further, pure nanosized nickel oxide was obtained from the POM by calcination at 300, 400 and 500 degrees C (labeled as C300, C400 and C500, respectively). They were characterized by X-ray (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). Their catalytic activities towards the degradation of 4-CP on the efficiency of the degradation were further investigated under continuous bubbling of air through the liquid-phase and quantitative evaluation by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Also, the effects of temperature, pH and kinds of catalysts on the efficiency of the degradation have been investigated. The results showed that the 4-CP was degraded completely by MECD method within 20 min under pH 7, T=40 degrees C and C=200 g dm(-3) over POM catalyst. The relative activity was affected significantly with the oxidation state of nickel.

Reforming of Ethanol to Produce Hydrogen over PtRuMg/ZrO2 Catalyst

A modified PtRu/ZrO2 catalyst with Mg is evaluated for the oxidative steam reforming of ethanol (OSRE) and the steam reforming of ethanol (SRE). In order to understand the variation in the reaction mechanism on OSRE and SRE, further analysis of both fresh and used catalyst is concentrated on for TEM, TG, Raman, and TPR characterization. The results show that the OSRE reaction requires a higher temperature (𝑇𝑅∼390°C) to achieve 100% ethanol conversion than the SRE reaction (𝑇𝑅∼2500°C). The distribution of CO is minor for both reactions (< 5% for OSRE, < 1% for SRE). This demonstrates that the water gas shift (WGS) reaction is an important side-reaction in the reforming of ethanol to produce H2 and CO2. A comparison of the temperature of WGS (𝑇WGS) shows it is lower for the SRE reaction (𝑇WGS∼250°C for SRE, ~340°C for OSRE).

Evaluation of CO oxidation over Co3O4-supported NiO catalysts

The process of doping NiO onto Co3O4 for achieving resistance to sintering and obtaining long-term stability of catalytic activity was examined herein. A sample of cobalt oxide (Co3O4) was prepared from Co(NO3)2·6H2O via precipitation by NaOH, and then calcined at 300 and 500 °C. The Co3O4-supported NiO catalysts were prepared by deposited precipitation of Ni(NO3)2·6H2O with NaOH added in a dropwise manner into the suspended Co3O4 solution with various loading of nickel. Then, oxidation with NaOCl was employed to obtain NiO/Co3O4 catalysts (weight loading of Ni: 0.1 ∼ 5 wt%). All of the samples were characterized by using XRD, SEM/TEM, BET, TPR and TGA techniques. Catalytic activities related to CO oxidation were tested from 0 to 200 °C in a self-designed fluidized micro-reactor. The results showed that the calcination temperature and loading of nickel were important parameters in the preparation process. With the lower calcined temperature and loading of nickel below 1 wt%, all the samples showed high in...

Graphene sponge as an efficient and recyclable oil sorbent

Fructose, an environmentally friendly reducing agent, was chosen during the process of reduction and self-assembly of graphene oxide (r-GO) via the hydrothermal method to prepare the graphene sponge (r-GS). Graphite oxide (GO) was prepared by oxidizing graphite (G) powders through a modified Hummers method. The GO dispersion (10 mg/mL) was mixed with equal mass ratio of fructose and ultrasonic-assisted dispersing in a beaker at RT for 30 min. Then, the suspended solution was transferred to a 200 mL Teflon-lined autoclave and maintained at 160 °C for 6 h. After cooling to RT, the black rod was washed with deionized water and lyophilized to obtain r-GS. The samples were characterized by XRD, TEM/SEM, BET, EA, FTIR, Raman and TPR. The absorption capacity and recycling measurement for oil over the fabricated r-GS was evaluated. In the preliminary results, the hydrophobic r-GS showed light weight and formed 3D porous structure that could enhance the absorption of organic solvents and oils. The absorption capacities of r-GS for various organic solvents and oils were quantified. The absorption capacities were in the range of 15 ∼ 38 g/g. The ultrahigh absorption capacity indicates that the absorption is more like an accommodation of oils in the hydrophobic micro- and macro-pores of the r-GS. In particular, the absorption capacity for vegetable oil is 37.8 g/g, indicating that the r-GS can be used for oil leakage treatment.

Promotion effect of cobalt-based catalyst with rare earth for the ethanol steam reforming

Catalytic performance of ethanol steam reforming (ESR) was investigated on praseodymium (Pr) modified ceria-supported cobalt oxide catalyst. The ceria-supported cobalt oxide (Ce-Co) catalyst was prepared by co-precipitation-oxidation (CPO) method, and the doped Pr (5 and 10 wt% loading) catalysts (Pr5−Ce−Co and Pr10−Ce−Co) were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method. The reduction pretreatment under 250 and 400 °C (H250 and H400) was also studied. All samples were characterized by XRD, TPR and TEM. Catalytic performance of ESR was tested from 250 to 500 °C in a fixed-bed reactor. The doping of Pr into the ceria lattice has significantly promoted the activity and reduced the coke formation. The products distribution also can be influenced by the different reduction pretreatment. The Pr10−Ce−Co−H400 sample is a preferential ESR catalyst, where the hydrogen distribution approaches 73% at 475 °C with less amounts (< 2%) of CO and CH4.Catalytic performance of ethanol steam reforming (ESR) was investigated on praseodymium (Pr) modified ceria-supported cobalt oxide catalyst. The ceria-supported cobalt oxide (Ce-Co) catalyst was prepared by co-precipitation-oxidation (CPO) method, and the doped Pr (5 and 10 wt% loading) catalysts (Pr5−Ce−Co and Pr10−Ce−Co) were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method. The reduction pretreatment under 250 and 400 °C (H250 and H400) was also studied. All samples were characterized by XRD, TPR and TEM. Catalytic performance of ESR was tested from 250 to 500 °C in a fixed-bed reactor. The doping of Pr into the ceria lattice has significantly promoted the activity and reduced the coke formation. The products distribution also can be influenced by the different reduction pretreatment. The Pr10−Ce−Co−H400 sample is a preferential ESR catalyst, where the hydrogen distribution approaches 73% at 475 °C with less amounts (< 2%) of CO and CH4.