Effect of gamma-irradiation on surface and catalytic properties of Co3O4 doped with NiO

NiO-doped Co₃O₄ samples precalcined at 500 °C were subjected to various doses of -rays within the range 0.2-1.6 MGy. The particle size and BET-surface areas of different samples were determined using XRD and nitrogen adsorption at -196 °C. The catalytic reactions studied were conversion of ethanol and isopropanol at 250-400 °C using a micropulse technique and H₂O₂ decomposition in aqueous solution at 30-50 °C. The results revealed that the -irradiation brought a significant decrease in the particle size of Co₃O₄ phase with subsequent increase in the S_BET surface areas. The treatment brought also a progressive decrease in the total conversion of both alcohol (dehydration and dehydrogenation) falling to a minimum value (about 20% of its initial activity) at a dose of 0.8 MGy. The catalysts retain their initial activity upon exposure to a dose of 1.6 MGy. On the other hand, the catalytic activity in H₂O₂ decomposition of the investigated system decreased progressively by increasing the dose of -rays and the catalysts lost more than 90% of their initial activity upon exposure to a dose of 1.6 MGy.