Effect of preparation methods on the catalytic activity of Co3O4 for the decomposition of N2O

A number of Co3O4 catalysts with various structures and exposed crystal planes were prepared by different methods. The effects of the structures and exposed crystal planes on the catalytic activity of Co3O4 catalysts were investigated for the catalytic decomposition of N2O. The Co3O4 with nanorod structure was enclosed by (220) planes; Co3O4 with irregular shape crystallites predominantly exposed (111) and (040) lattice planes; Co3O4 with bulk particles only showed the single exposure of (040) planes; the spherical particles of Co3O4 presented the (220) and (311) planes. The results indicated that Co3O4 with irregular shape crystallites showed the best catalytic activity and over 80% of N2O conversion was obtained at 384–450°C. The bulk particles of Co3O4 showed inferior performance. In addition, the exposed crystal planes of Co3O4 prepared by different methods can affect the catalytic decomposition of N2O.