Coral-like CoMnOx as a Highly Active Catalyst for Benzene Catalytic Oxidation

The search for efficient and durable catalysts for volatile organic compounds oxidation is essential for environmental remediation. Herein, porous coral-like cobalt–manganese oxide (CoMnOx) catalyst was synthesized through annealing Co–Mn–1,3-propanediol precursors at 300 °C in air and applied for the catalytic oxidation of benzene. The as-prepared CoMnOx exhibited uniform porous coral-like structure, with an improved benzene catalytic abatement performance as compared to those of Mn3O4 and Co3O4 samples prepared by the same method, respectively. According to BET, H2-TPR, O2-TPD, and XPS analysis, the as-obtained CoMnOx catalyst showed the highest BET surface area, better low-reducibility temperature, and high content of absorbed oxygen groups when compared to Mn3O4 and Co3O4, which makes significant contribution to its catalytic benzene oxidation activity. Moreover, a plausible surface reaction mechanism for benzene oxidation over CoMnOx catalyst was also proposed through the in situ DRIFTS study.