XPS and EPR study of high and low surface area CoO–MgO solid solutions: surface composition and Co2+ion dispersion

Solid solutions CoO–MgO (MCo) of low and high surface area (LSA and HSA) have been studied by XPS and EPR analysis to evaluate the surface composition and the dispersion of cobalt ions in the systems. Different preparation routes were adopted: wet impregnation (Iw), dry impregnation (Id) and coprecipitation (C). LSA solid solutions (As= 10–20 m2 g–1) were obtained after treatment in air at 1173 K (1173 LSA) or at 1473 K (1473 LSA), HSA materials (As= 200–300 m2 g–1) after treatment under vacuum at 1173 (1173 HSA). XPS intensity ratios, ICo/IMgvs. xCo/xMg molar fraction showed no appreciable differences between the bulk and surface compositions of LSA and HSA solid solutions from Id and C precursors, calcined at 1173 and at 1473 K. MCo 1173 LSA Iw samples had evident cobalt enrichment, due to Co3O4 segregation, whereas Iw HSA did not. NO2 or O2 treatments led to the formation of CoIII. The Co2+ bulk dispersion in LSA and HSA was studied by EPR.