Cu-Co bi-metal catalyst prepared by perovskite CuO/LaCoO3 used for higher alcohol synthesis from syngas

Cu-Co bi-metal catalysts derived from CuO/LaCoO₃ perovskite structure were prepared by one-step citrate complexing method, and the structure evolution reaction from CuO/LaCoO₃ to Cu-Co₂C/La₂O₂CO₃ under H₂ pretreatment was investigated by techniques of XRD, TPR and TEM. The results suggest that a much higher dispersion of copper significantly enhanced the reduction of cobalt, and a stronger interaction between copper and cobalt ions in LaCoO₃ particles led to the formation of bi-metallic Cu-Co particles in the reduced catalysts and the enrichment of Co on the surface of bimetallic particles. The prepared catalysts were highly active and selective for the alcohol synthesis from syngas due to the presence of copper-modified Co₂C species.     

LaCoO3 formation from precursors obtained by water-based sol–gel method with citric acid

In the present work the LaCoO₃ formation from gel precursors obtained by water-based sol–gel method with citric acid was studied. As precursors La and Co nitrates were used. The obtained gels were analyzed by TG/DTA and TG/AGE. The decomposition of the gels takes place in two main steps with the evolution of the same volatile compounds (H₂O, CO₂ si NO₂) leading to the conclusion that two types of bonding of the components in the gels occurred. The decomposition of the gels takes place up to 400 °C. The gels thermally treated at 600 °C lead to single pure perovskite rhombohedral phase of lanthanum cobalt oxide (LaCoO₃).     

The oxygen nonstoichiometry and defect structure of unsubstituted LaCoO<Subscript>3−δ</Subscript> cobaltite

The paper presents the results obtained in studying the oxygen nonstoichiometry of undoped lanthanum cobaltite LaCoO_3?δ as a function of temperature and oxygen pressure. A model analysis of the defect structure of the compound was performed. Two models were considered. For the first model, it was assumed that electrons and electron holes were quasi-free, whereas, in the second model, they were considered localized on cobalt ions. The internal electronic disordering and thermally excited disproportionation of cobalt were also taken into consideration in the first and second models, respectively. For both models, systems of nonlinear equations comprising the corresponding mass action law, mass balance, and electroneutrality equations were constructed. Verification equations were obtained for both models by solving these systems. The correspondence of the suggested models to experimental data was checked by the nonlinear regression method. Both models almost equally correctly described the data on the oxygen nonstoichiometry of LaCoO_3?δ. The conclusion was drawn that these data were insufficient for selecting the most realistic model of the defect structure of this compound.     

Electron transport and magnetic properties of La1−xSrxCo1−yTiyO3 (x = 0a or x = yb)

The two systems (a) and (b) for different values of x were synthesized. Their electron transport and magnetic properties show a change in behavior above a critical value of x. Unlike the system La_1?xSr_xCoO₃, itinerant electron ferromagnetism is not observed. This is explained on the basis of the absence of an itinerant band of Co⁴⁺ whose generation is restricted on account of substitution of Ti⁴⁺. Electron transport in these two systems is compared with that of LaCoO₃ or La_1?xSr_xCoO₃ and is discussed in view of the presence of different valence states of cobalt and change in crystal field splitting. Spin-state equilibria in these two systems are similar to that in LaCoO₃.     

Nanocomposites based on LaCoO3 and mesoporous molecular sieves: Preparation and physicochemical and catalytic properties

Individual perovskite-like LaCoO₃ obtained by the citrate method and LaCoO₃ supported onto the mesoporous molecular sieve MSM-41 have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, EPMA, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, H₂ TPR, and EXAFS. The catalytic activity of the supported cobaltate in methanol oxidation is two orders of magnitude higher than the activity of the bulk cobaltate owing to nanosized LaCoO₃ particles in the pores of the molecular sieve.     

Schiff base complex sol–gel method for LaCoO3 perovskite preparation with high-adsorbed oxygen

A novel Schiff base complex sol–gel method has been used to prepare LaCoO₃ producing high ratios of adsorbed (or surface) oxygen (α) to lattice oxygen (β). The as-prepared gels, characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), showed that both lanthanum and cobalt ions were complexed before calcinations. IR spectra revealed that CO₃²⁻ and NO₃⁻ presented on the sample surfaces during heat treatment. High-resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM) images of all samples showed resolved lattice fringes with the inter-planar spacing 0.37–0.39 nm of the (0 1 2) plane in hexagonal perovskite. BET surface areas of LaCoO₃ nano-crystals were 11.7–18.6 m²/g. Ratios of adsorbed (or surface) oxygen (α) to lattice oxygen (β) quantified by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy showed that LaCoO₃ prepared by the Schiff base complex method produced higher ratios when bases had higher nitrogen content in molecules. Carbonate and nitrate which were resulting from the oxidation of functional groups in the Schiff base complex, can produce gaseous compounds and leave vacant sites for oxygen in the gas phase to adsorb.     

LaCoO3晶格结构内外Mg的同步改性及其光催化性能

运用溶胶-凝胶法同步获得了LaCoO₃钙钛矿晶格结构内Mg²⁺的掺杂改性及晶格结构外MgO的异质结复合改性。观察到了同步改性后LaCoO₃催化剂上水体罗丹明B（RhB）光催化降解活性的显著提升,相同实验条件下最适Mg含量改性LaCoO₃上RhB的降解率从原始LaCoO₃的58%显著提升至98%,表观一级动力学常数为改性前催化剂的4.5倍。运用X射线衍射（XRD）、氮气低温吸附-脱附（BET法）、扫描及透射电子显微镜（SEM,TEM）、傅里叶变换红外光谱（FT-IR）、X光电子能谱（XPS）、紫外-可见漫反射（DRS）及光致发光光谱（PL）等分析和表征系统探讨了改性前后催化剂的理化特征。结果表明,约10% Co³⁺晶格结点可为Mg²⁺掺杂取代而LaCoO₃钙钛矿结构基本保持不变,适量Mg²⁺对Co³⁺的掺杂取代可形成晶格畸变和杂质能级、衍生Co⁴⁺及促进溶氧吸附从而有利于RhB的光催化降解,过量掺杂的Mg则可能成为光生载流子复合中心从而不利于RhB的去除。适量MgO异质结复合改性LaCoO₃一方面赋予复合催化剂较大表面积,利于RhB富集,也赋予丰富的表面羟基利于光生电子的捕获并衍生活性羟基自由基;另一方面还可能通过LaCoO₃与MgO异质结间电子的跃迁和流动以及晶格氧空位抑制光生载流子的复合,提高复合催化剂的光量子效率。     

Toluene oxidation on LaCoO3, LaFeO3 and LaCrO3 perovskite catalysts. A comparative study

Vapor phase catalytic oxidation of toluene over perovskites viz., LaCoO₃, LaCrO₃ and LaFeO₃ has been studied. The maximum activity was observed at 450°C. The oxidation is first order. The order of catalytic reactivity is LaCoO₃>LaFeO₃>LaCrO₃. The activation energy (E_a) values for LaCoO₃, LaFeO₃ and LaCrO₃ are 13.4, 23.93 and 25.31 kJ/mol, respectively.     

Chemical and electronic characterization of cobalt in a lanthanum perovskite. Effects of strontium substitution

Two different cobaltites, LaCoO₃ and La_0.5Sr_0.5CoO_3−δ, have been prepared and characterized by means of high energy Co K-edge and low energy O K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Even though half of the La(III) is substituted by Sr(II), little or no changes can be detected in the formal oxidation state of cobalt atoms. The presence of strontium cations induces two main effects in the chemical and electronic state of the perovskite. The charge balance with Sr(II) species is reached by the formation of oxygen vacancies throughout the network, which explains the well-known increase in the reactivity of this substituted perovskite. O K-edge XAS experiments show that the Sr(II) species induce the transitions of d electrons of cobalt cations from low to high spin configuration. We propose that this change in spin multiplicity is induced by two cooperative effects: the oxygen vacancies, creating five coordinated cobalt atoms, and the bigger size of Sr(II) cations, aligning the Co-O-Co atoms, and favoring the overlapping of π-symmetry cobalt and oxygen orbitals, reducing the splitting energy of e_g and t_2g levels.     

LaCoO3晶格结构内外Mg的同步改性及其光催化性能

运用溶胶-凝胶法同步获得了LaCoO_3钙钛矿晶格结构内Mg~(2+)的掺杂改性及晶格结构外MgO的异质结复合改性。观察到了同步改性后LaCoO_3催化剂上水体罗丹明B(RhB)光催化降解活性的显著提升,相同实验条件下最适Mg含量改性LaCoO_3上RhB的降解率从原始LaCoO_3的58%显著提升至98%,表观一级动力学常数为改性前催化剂的4.5倍。运用X射线衍射(XRD)、氮气低温吸附-脱附(BET法)、扫描及透射电子显微镜(SEM,TEM)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)、X光电子能谱(XPS)、紫外-可见漫反射(DRS)及光致发光光谱(PL)等分析和表征系统探讨了改性前后催化剂的理化特征。结果表明,约10%Co~(3+)晶格结点可为Mg~(2+)掺杂取代而LaCoO_3钙钛矿结构基本保持不变,适量Mg~(2+)对Co~(3+)的掺杂取代可形成晶格畸变和杂质能级、衍生Co~(4+)及促进溶氧吸附从而有利于RhB的光催化降解,过量掺杂的Mg则可能成为光生载流子复合中心从而不利于RhB的去除。适量MgO异质结复合改性LaCoO_3一方面赋予复合催化剂较大表面积,利于RhB富集,也赋予丰富的表面羟基利于光生电子的捕获并衍生活性羟基自由基;另一方面还可能通过LaCoO_3与MgO异质结间电子的跃迁和流动以及晶格氧空位抑制光生载流子的复合,提高复合催化剂的光量子效率。     

Production of Carbon Nanotubes over Pre‐reduced LaCoO3 by Using Fluidized‐bed Catalytic Reactor

A technique has been developed to grow carbon nanotubes by flowing acetylene over pre‐reduced LaCoO₃ catalyst in a fluidized‐bed catalytic reactor. Carbon nanotubes were characterized by means of SEM and TEM. The pre‐reduced LaCoO₃ catalyst was found to be effective in producing carbon nanotubes with even diameter. The effects of reduction temperature of LaCoO₃ on the growth of carbon nanotubes were investigated. This process can easily be scaled up.     

Synthesis and characterization of tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated mixed-valence Co(II)/Co(III) complex with thiosemicarbazone-based ligand

Synthesis, characterization, and X-ray crystal structure for a mixed-valence binuclear Co(II)/Co(III) complex with the dianionic dithiolate form of a pentadentate ligand 2,6-diacetylpyridinebis(thiosemicarbazone) are reported. A new synthetic methodology has been employed replacing usual cobalt(II) salts by [Co(NH₃)₅Cl]Cl₂ as a precursor. The coordination geometry of cobalt(II), CoN₂S₂, was found to be distorted tetrahedral, whereas the cobalt(III) coordination sphere, CoN₄S₂, is slightly distorted octahedral. The magnetic behavior and molar conductivity of the complex are in agreement with the mixed-valence state.     

Effect of the preparation route on the structure and microstructure of LaCoO3

Lanthanum cobaltite oxide, LaCoO₃, was prepared by the evaporation technique and the amorphous metal complex method. Powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and surface area measurements. The effect of the synthesis route on the phase purity, particle size, surface area, and morphology of the powders was studied. A single perovskite phase was synthesized at 700°C using the amorphous metal complex route. However, the evaporation technique required higher temperature for LaCoO₃ crystallization. Based on the characterization results, low temperature formation of LaCoO₃ was attributed to the homogeneity of the precursors. Such behavior also results in different microstructures. Powder synthesized by the amorphous metal complex method exhibited the highest surface area and the lowest particle size.     

Sur de nouveaux composés oxygénés du cobalt +III dérivés de la perovskite

TCoO₃ phases where T is a rare earth (T = Y, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) have been prepared under high oxygen pressure. LaCoO₃ is trigonal (space group $\text{R}\text{3}\text{c}$, D⁶_3d). NdCoO₃ is pseudo-tetragonal with the orthorhombic symmetry and the GdFeO₃ type structure as the following TCoO₃ phases. Crystallographic investigations at high temperature, magnetic and electric measurements on YCoO₃ and LuCoO₃ characterize a transition from the low spin to the high spin state of cobalt +III.     

Autologous Cobalt Phosphates with Modulated Coordination Sites for Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation

The correlation between metal coordination and electrocatalytic water oxidation performance is elusive in many cobalt‐based materials. Herein, we designed an ideal Co phosphate‐based platform to explore the effect of coordination environment on oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity. The cobalt geometry was modulated from octahedral to tetrahedral by simple removal of water ligands in Co₃(PO₄)₂?8 H₂O. Other features except the coordination structure in the two autologous materials remain similar. The two analogues display the same OER kinetics, but the anhydrous Co₃(PO₄)₂ exhibits a greatly enhanced OER activity. On the basis of Raman and operando XAS results, the higher intrinsic activity of the Co tetrahedral sites is because they facilitate the formation of active high valent cobalt (hydr)oxide intermediates during OER. This work not only brings insights of OER on Co‐based electrocatalysts but also provides a reference system to study the effect of metal geometry on electrocatalysis.     

Characterization and reactivity of nanoscale La(Co,Cu)O3 perovskite catalyst precursors for CO hydrogenation

The characterization of La(Co,Cu)O₃ perovskites has been performed by several techniques including XRD, BET, H₂-TPR, O₂-TPO, TPRS, and the solids tested as catalysts for the hydrogenation of CO. The reducibility of the perovskites is strongly affected by the preparation route, calcination temperature, catalyst morphology, and the amount of remnant alkali. Compared with the citrate-derived perovskite, LaCoO₃ sample prepared by mechano-synthesis has various distinct Co³⁺ ions in perovskite lattice, which are reduced at different temperatures. Under typical conditions, the reduction of cobalt ions occurs in two consecutive steps: Co³⁺/Co²⁺ and Co²⁺/Co⁰, while the intra-lattice copper ions are directly reduced from Cu²⁺ to Cu⁰. The reducibility of cobalt ions is promoted by the presence of metallic copper, which is formed at a lower reduction temperature. The re-oxidation of the reduced lanthanum cobaltite perovskite could regenerate the original structure, whereas that of the reduced Co-Cu-based samples is less reversible under the same experimental conditions.The cobalt atom in the reduced perovskites plays an important role in the dissociation of CO, but the presence of a neighboring copper along with remnant sodium ions on the catalyst surface has remarkably affected the reactivity of cobalt for CO hydrogenation. The addition of copper into the perovskite framework leads to a change in the product distribution of CO hydrogenation and a decrease in reaction temperature. An increased copper content leads to a substantial decline in the rate of methanation and an increase in the formation of higher alcohols. A close proximity between cobalt and copper sites on the Na⁺-modified catalyst surface of the reduced nanocrystalline Co-Cu-based perovskites plays a crucial role in the synthesis of higher alcohols from syngas.     

Electronic and magnetic properties of LaNi1−xCoxO3, LaCo1−xFexO3 and LaNi1−xFexO3

LaNi_1?xCo_xO₃ shows itinerant d-electron behavior similar to LaNiO₃ up to x = 0.5. In the range 0.5 < x < 1.0, the cobalt spin state equilibrium is markedly affected; the localized-itinerant electron transition of LaCoO₃ is not seen when x < 0.95. In LaCo_1?xFe_xO₃, itinerancy of d-electrons decreases with increase in x and the compositions with x > 0.5 are similar to LaFeO₃. If x > 0.1, the localized-itinerant electron transition is not seen and the cobalt spin state equilibrium is considerably altered. In LaNi_1?xFe_xO₃, itinerancy decreases with increase in x. These observations can be satisfactorily explained in terms of Goodenough's energy band schemes.     

Synchrotron X-ray absorption of LaCoO3 perovskite

LaCoO₃ perovskite was prepared at 700°C using citrate precursors. The product was then characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The powder XRD pattern indicates rhombohedral or its monoclinic I2/a subgroup symmetry. The electronic configuration and the short-range atomic structure of the LaCoO₃ perovskite at room temperature were investigated using synchrotron near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS). From the XANES region of the XAS we conclude that Co(III) is at least partly in its intermediate- or high-spin state, which is in accordance with most of the published literature on LaCoO₃ perovskite. The EXAFS region of the LaCoO₃ perovskite spectrum, which up to now was almost not investigated, was simulated satisfactorily for the first two radial structure peaks in terms of the dominant scattering contributions generated with the FEFF8 code and the structural information available from crystallographic data. The best simulation results were obtained with I2/a symmetry. The obtained amplitude reduction factor, zero-energy shift and Debye-Waller factors are useful reference values for data analyses of similar compounds like partly substituted LaCoO₃ perovskite, such as La_1−xCa_xCoO₃ or La_1−xSr_xCoO₃, which are materials of technical interest in catalyst and other applications.     

The fabrication of layer‐by‐layer mode LaCoO3 film by pulsed laser deposition

The relationship between strain and growth conditions in LaCoO₃ thin film was obtained to control the magnetic‐electric characteristics. The LaCoO₃ thin films on the SrTiO₃ substrates have been achieved by the pulsed laser deposition method, and the reflection high‐energy electron diffraction method (RHEED) was applied to monitor the growth process in situ; the layer‐by‐layer growth mode was discovered. The X‐ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy were applied to the phase analysis, and the layer thickness and the layer‐by‐layer growth mode were uncovered. Compared with the 100‐nm LaCoO₃ thin films, the strain in the layer‐by‐layer ultra thin film was more controllable. The enhanced magnetic properties of the layer‐by‐layer mode ultra‐thin films could be tested in future work.     

Standard enthalpy of formation of LaCoO3(cr)

An isothermal-jacket calorimeter was used to measure the enthalpies of the reactions of LaCoO₃(cr), LaCl₃(cr), and CoCl₂(cr) with a 2m hydrochloric acid solution. Based on these values and the published data, the standard enthalpy of formation of LaCoO₃(cr) at 298.15 K was calculated (Δ_f H ⁰ = ?1232 ± 6 kJ/mol).