Thermal analysis and epr studies of carbon black oxidation in the presence of copper loaded Y2O3-CeO2-ZrO2 catalyst

The activity of copper-free and copper-loaded 10Y₂O₃-10CeO₂-80ZrO₂ solid solutions towards carbon black combustion was studied using simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis techniques coupled with gas chromatography. It was demonstrated that all studied catalysts lower the temperature of carbon black combustion. The selectivity of the catalytic reaction in CO₂ formation was 100%. The comparison of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of pure catalysts with those of the samples (catalysts mixed with carbon black) after catalysis allowed to evidence, despite of the strong oxidizing atmosphere, a thermal reduction by carbon of Fe³⁺ (impurities), Cu²⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ during the reaction. Moreover a new EPR signal appeared after catalytic test and was attributed to the presence of paramagnetic metal-carbon or/and metal-sulphur complexes. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.