Surfactant-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of CuCr2O4 spinel catalyst and its application in CO oxidation process

The surfactant-assisted hydrothermal route and the influence of various synthesis parameters including pH, aging time, autoclave and calcination temperature were studied on the textural characteristics of the catalysts synthesized Nanocrystalline CuCr2O4 spinel catalysts and the potential of the prepared samples were studied in CO oxidation reaction. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), N-2 adsorption-desorption (BET), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric (TGA) techniques were used for the characterization of the samples. The results revealed that the changes in the preparation conditions had a significant influence on the textural and catalytic activity. The sample prepared under specified conditions (pH = 12, 4 h aging time, 180 degrees C autoclave temperature and calcined at 500 degrees C) exhibited the highest surface area (38.5 m(2) g(-1)) and almost pure spinel phase. The structural properties and the type of the catalyst phase, dramatically affected the catalytic performance. Also, the stability and reusability of the optimum catalyst were investigated and the results indicated the high reusability and stability of the catalyst at high temperature.