Metal oxides nanoparticles on SBA-15: Efficient catalyst for methane combustion

Catalysts based on crystalline nanoparticles of Mn and Co metal oxides supported on mesoporous silica SBA-15 have been developed. These materials were characterized by XRD, BET and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. SBA-15 mesoporous silica was synthesized by a conventional sol–gel method using a tri-block copolymer as surfactant. Supported Mn3O4 and Co3O4 nanoparticles were obtained after calcination of as-impregnated SBA-15 by a metal salt precursor. The catalytic activity was evaluated in the combustion of methane at low concentration. Co3O4/SBA-15 (7 wt.%) exhibits the highest performance among the different oxides. Furthermore, this novel generation of catalysts appeared as active as conventional LaCoO3 perovskite, usually taken as reference for this reaction. Thanks to its organized meso-structures, SBA-15 material creates peculiar diffusion conditions for reactants and/or products.