TPR/TPO characterization of cobalt–silicon mixed oxide nanocomposites prepared by sol–gel

Cobalt–silicon mixed oxides with Co/Si ratio of 10/90 (10Co), 20/80 (20Co) and 30/70 (30Co) were prepared by a modified sol–gel method. The materials treated in air at 400 and 600 °C were characterized by SEM and TPR/TPO techniques. TPR measurements showed that in all samples only a fraction of Co was present as Co3O4 and as amorphous silicate and was reducible by H2 within 800 °C, while a part was not reducible under TPR conditions. The fraction of Co not reducible decreased with increasing Co content. A TPO/TPR cycle gave rise to an increase of the fraction of not reducible Co.