Low temperature combustion of ethylene in a carbon dioxide stream over a cordierite monolith-supported Cu–Mn Hopcalite catalyst Original Research Article

Complete combustion of trace amount of ethylene in food-grade carbon dioxide is examined over a copper-manganese Hopcalite monolithic catalyst which is prepared with co-precipitation of Hopcalite powder, followed by washcoating on cordierite monolith via a dip-coating method. It is shown that the combustion activity of the Hopcalite monolithic catalyst is closely dependent on the washcoat loading and calcination temperature, and that the calcination temperature has a great effect on the adhesion strength of the Hopcalite washcoat. It is proposed that the catalyst combustion activity originates from a synergic effect of the CuO and amorphous Cu–Mn oxide phases. Solid reaction between the Hopcalite washcoat and cordierite monolith not only improves the adhesion strength of the Hopcalite washcoat, but also prevents the formation and growing of the Cu1.5Mn1.5O4 crystalline particles and thus develops the combustion activity. Furthermore, it leads to doping of Mg in the Hopcalite washcoat, which improves the catalytic stability of the Hopcalite monolithic catalyst.